By: D.K Choudhary
Rafal Nadal Defeats David Goffin to win 2016 Mubadala World Tennis Championship
i. Spanish professional tennis player, Rafael Nadal successfully clinched 2016 Mubadala World Tennis Championship title on December 31, 2016 held at the Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex at the Zayed Sports City.
ii. Nadal defeated his opponent David Goffin with 6-4, 7-6 in the finals. He reached the Abu Dhabi Finals by beating Tomas Berdych in the quarter-final and Milos Raonic in the semi-final.
iii. Nadal who received a cash prize of $250,000 will now head to Australia for the Brisbane International.
Indian tennis player Somdev announces retirement
i. 31 year old professional Indian tennis player Somdev Kishore Devvarman popularly known as Somdev announced his retirement from professional tennis on 01 January 2017.
ii. The decision was taken due to a shoulder injury. He first suffered a recurring shoulder 
injury in 2012. On his return back to the tennis arena he lost a series matches due to this injury. So starting the New Year on a new node Somdev said goodbye to the tennis.
iii. In his bright career he has won Gold at both singles and men’s double event at 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. Apart from this he also has a gold in men’s singles event of XIXth Commonwealth Games , New Delhi.
iv. In 2011 Somdev received Arjuna Award from the Indian government for his success in tennis. He reached the finals of two ATP title once in 2009 Chennai Open and then other in 2011 South Africa Open.
Lionel Messi wins World’s Best Playmaker of 2016
i .Argentine Star Lionel Messi was chosen as the World’s Best Playmaker for the year 2016 on December 29, 2016, by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
ii. Messi topped the list with 172 points followed by Andres Iniesta at second spot with 66 points and Toni Kross third with 45 points.
iii. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi earlier won the Best Playmaker of the World for the year 2015 with 168 points.
