Revealed
GLORY DAYS
Top 20 greatest UK sporting moments of 21st Century revealed with O’Sullivan, Hamilton and Murray bringing joy to nation
There are multiple Olympic moments on the list - but do you agree with them
THE UK’s greatest sporting moment of the 21st century has been revealed – Sir Andy Murray winning Wimbledon in 2013.
Sports fans from the UK have had their say and the tennis great’s victory over Novak Djokovic to end Britain's 77-year-wait for a Wimbledon men's singles champion came top.
4
4
4
4
Second place went to Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute drop goal for England against Australia to win the 2003 World Cup, while the third spot went to The Lionesses winning the Women’s Euros in 2022.
Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2015/16 came fourth, while Sir Mo Farah's double gold at the 2012 Olympics in the 5,000m and 10,000m came fifth.
The poll of 2,000 adults who watch sport was commissioned by , which has also created a quiz for fans to test their knowledge of UK triumphs.
A spokesperson for the betting platform said: “The UK has a proud sporting history and it’s always enjoyable to reflect on the moments and sportspeople we remember most fondly.
Read More on Sport
“As the study shows, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have had lots of success this century.
"And with Euro 2024, the Summer Olympics, Wimbledon, on the horizon, and the Six Nations underway, 2024 will surely see more memorable sporting moments.”
The study also identified the UK’s greatest sportsperson of the century – and Sir Mo fared well there too, this time taking first place.
Sir Andy Murray and Sir Lewis Hamilton came second and third respectively, followed by Sir Chris Hoy in fourth and David Beckham in fifth.
Most read in Sport
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
It also emerged 87 per cent believe UK sporting successes boost the morale of the nation.
With 65 per cent of the opinion it’s in ‘desperate’ need of another sporting triumph or two.
Jubilant England lift Women's Euro 2022 trophy as they're crowned champions for first time
And no doubt they’d be delighted to see anything close to Emma Raducanu winning US Open title in 2021 or Ben Stokes’ Ashes-saving 135 not out at Headingly in 2019.
These moments are joined in the top 20 by England winning the Ashes in 2005 and Hoy's triple gold at the 2008 Olympics in track cycling.
Dame Kelly Holmes' double gold at the 2004 Olympics in the 800m and 1500m and Paula Radcliffe’s marathon world record in 2003 also made the cut.
Top 20 UK sporting moments of the 21st century, voted by fans
1. Sir Andy Murray winning Wimbledon in 2013
2. Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute drop goal for England against Australia to win the 2003 World Cup
3. The Lionesses winning the Women’s Euros in 2022
4. Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2015/16
5. Sir Mo Farah's double gold at the 2012 Olympics - 5,000m and 10,000m
6. Sir Steve Redgrave winning his fifth consecutive Olympic rowing golds in 2000
7. ‘The Miracle of Istanbul’ – Liverpool’s comeback from 3-0 down to win the Champions League against AC Milan in 2005
8. England winning the Ashes in 2005
9. England's Cricket ODI World Cup win in 2019
10. David Beckham's last-minute free-kick against Greece in 2001 to secure England's qualification for the 2002 World Cup
11. Manchester City FC's men's team completing a historic treble in 2023 (winning the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champion’s League)
12. Sir Chris Hoy's triple gold at the 2008 Olympics in track cycling
13. Sir Lewis Hamilton winning his seventh Formula 1 championship in 2021
14. Emma Raducanu winning US Open title in 2021
15. Dame Kelly Holmes' double gold at the 2004 Olympics for the 800m and 1500m races
16. Ben Stokes’ Ashes-saving 135 not out at Headingly in 2019
17. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill's heptathlon gold at the 2012 Olympics
18. Sir Bradley Wiggins' Tour de France victory in 2012
19. Ronnie O’Sullivan winning with seventh snooker World Championship in 2022
20. Paula Radcliffe’s marathon world record in 2003
As did Beckham's last-minute free-kick against Greece in 2001 to secure England's qualification for the 2002 World Cup.
Carried out through OnePoll, the study found 60 per cent believe the current generation of UK sportspeople holds up to those from past eras.
As such, 64 per cent are optimistic about the UK’s sporting prospects for the decade ahead.
And their hopes might be riding on footballer Jude Bellingham, darts player Luke Littler, and Manchester City star Phil Foden, who are the top three sportspeople those polled think will go on to become sporting greats.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
A spokesperson for added: “Recent successes will surely inspire the next generation of athletes to match or better past achievements.
“The future is looking bright for the UK – no doubt sports fans will be excited to see what happens next.”
TOP 10 GREATEST UK SPORTSPEOPLE OF THE 21ST CENTURY
1. Sir Mo Farah
2. Sir Andy Murray
3. Sir Lewis Hamilton
4. Sir Chris Hoy
5. David Beckham OBE
6. Ronnie O’Sullivan OBE
7. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill
8. Jonny Wilkinson CBE
9. Ben Stokes OBE
10. Dame Kelly Holmes
TOP 10 GREATEST WELSH SPORTSPEOPLE OF THE 21ST CENTURY
1. Gareth Bale MBE
2. Alun Wyn Jones OBE
3. Joe Calzaghe CBE
4. Ryan Giggs OBE
5. Geraint Thomas OBE
6. Shane Williams MBE
7. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE
8. Gary Speed
9. Sam Warburton OBE
10. Gareth Thomas
TOP 10 GREATEST SCOTTISH SPORTSPEOPLE OF THE 21ST CENTURY
1. Sir Andy Murray
2. Sir Chris Hoy
3. Stephen Hendry MBE
4. Andy Robertson MBE
5. Eilish McColgan
6. Laura Muir
7. Eve Muirhead OBE
8. Stuart Hogg MBE
9. Jamie Murray OBE
10. John Higgins MBE
TOP FIVE UK UP-AND-COMING SPORTING GREATS
- Jude Bellingham
2. Luke Littler
3. Phil Foden
4. Emma Raducanu
5. Bukayo Saka
Topics