From Carli Lloyd hanging up her cleats to Allyson Felix shattering records to Emma Raducanu announcing herself to the world, 2021 was a defining year for women’s sports.

As the year comes to a close, we’re looking back at the decisive moments from a banner 12 months that included NCAA championships, the Olympics and a landmark NWSL season.

Here are the top 21 women’s sports moments from 2021:

1. Stanford wins NCAA basketball tournament

Stanford won its first National Championship since 1992 and the third title in school history, defeating Arizona 54-53 back in April. The thrilling final capped off a record-breaking season for the Cardinal, with coach Tara VanDerveer passing Pat Summit as the winningest head coach in DI women’s basketball history. With 4.08 million viewers tuned in to ESPN for the championship, Stanford and Arizona’s nail-bitter marked the most-matched title game since 2014.

HALEY JONES TOUGH AND-1.

(via @StanfordWBB)pic.twitter.com/cF206MHbDy

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 5, 2021

2. Odicci Alexander’s WCWS stand

James Madison’s Odicci Alexander burst onto the scene over the summer, leading her school to an unlikely Women’s College World Series run in June. The star pitcher threw 1,057 pitches, recording a staggering 66 strikeouts in leading James Madison to the semifinals, the first unranked team to do so in WCWS history. James Madison’s historic run included a massive first-round upset against No. 1 Oklahoma, capturing national attention and catapulting Alexander to softball fame.

James Madison's Odicci Alexander received a standing ovation from the crowd in OKC 👏@JMUSoftball | #WCWS pic.twitter.com/rrxB9dNpMS

— espnW (@espnW) June 7, 2021

3. Ash Barty wins Wimbledon

Ash Barty made history in July, becoming the first Australian woman to win Wimbledon since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980. The world No. 1 defeated Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3 to capture her second Grand Slam title.

The moment @AshBarty’s childhood dreams all came true#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/gxMxphj4qk

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2021

4. Sha’Carri Richardson bursts onto the scene

Sha’Carri Richardson sprinted into track and field celebrity over the summer when she clocked a winning time of 10.86 seconds in the 100m final at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in June. Her first-place finish was later disqualified when it was found out that Richardson tested positive for marijuana, bouncing her from the Olympics with a one-month suspension. The ordeal followed the passing of Richardson’s biological mother and spurred a conversation about mental health and rules banning marijuana that many now deem outdated. Despite not racing in Tokyo, Richardson was one of the breakout athletes of the year.

REMEMBER THE NAME.

Let us introduce you to the newest member of the U.S. Olympic Team: Sha'Carri Richardson.@usatf | #TrackFieldTrials21 x #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/O2wvaRgI8X

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) June 20, 2021

5. Simone Biles rewrites the script

Simone Biles shocked the world when she withdrew from the gymnastics team all-around event at the Tokyo Olympics after being overcome by the dreaded “twisties.” The gymnastics icon went on to pull out of the individual all-around, vault and uneven bars. Biles’s prioritization of her health was a rare and welcome change, instigating a conversation about mental health in sport. Naomi Osaka also contributed to the broader conversation on mental wellbeing when she withdrew from several events on tour. After a trying year of isolation and loss, athletes advocating for mental health offered a timely shift in the cultural perspective.

"Put your mental health first. That's more important than any other medal you could win." - @Simone_Biles

Biles spoke with @MikeTirico after securing silver and bronze at the #TokyoOlympics. pic.twitter.com/BCM6QHbD2E

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2021

6. Suni Lee wins gold

American gymnast Suni Lee stepped into the spotlight when Biles stepped back from the individual all-around event in Tokyo. The 18-year-old dazzled audiences, beating out her competition with a score of 57.433 to capture gold in gymnastics’ most recognized event. Lee’s Olympic title also made her the first Hmong American gymnast to win an individual gold medal.

Our hearts simply cannot take it!! 🥰

Live look at @sunisalee_'s family witnessing her gold medal moment🥇#OlympicHERstory | #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/nKAeBQYVuv

— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) July 29, 2021

7. Allyson Felix cements her legacy

Allyson Felix became the most decorated track and field athlete of all time after winning a bronze medal in the 400m and gold in the 4×400-meter relay in Tokyo. The five-time Olympian surpassed a record set by Carl Lewis, increasing her medal count to 11, the most of any American track and field athlete to date. At 35 years old, Felix’s accomplishment is made more impressive by the fact that she gave birth to her daughter in 2018, between her last two Olympic campaigns.

Allyson. Felix.

She takes bronze in the 400m and ties Carl Lewis for the most medals by a USA track and field athlete 🥉🐐

(via @NBCOlympics)pic.twitter.com/wHBVK5FXfL

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 6, 2021

8. Ariarne Titmus upends Katie Ledecky

Ariarne Titmus swam her way to the top of the podium in Tokyo, dethroning American swimming star Katie Ledecky in the process. The Australian swimmer captured gold in the 400m freestyle, becoming the first athlete to beat Ledecky in an individual Olympic event. Titmus also took home a gold in the 200m freestyle, capping off a breakout Summer Games. The now 21-year-old’s incredible performance captured international attention, but perhaps no one was as excited as her coach Dean Boxall, who went viral for his celebration following Titmus’s 400m victory.

Australia's Ariarne Titmus wins the Olympic gold medal in the women's 400m free.@KatieLedecky gets the silver, earning her first Olympic medal of these #TokyoOlympics.

📺 NBC
💻 https://t.co/XznsNz3Xze
📱 NBC Sports App pic.twitter.com/HDzi46SjJG

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) July 26, 2021

9. April Ross & Alix Klineman dominate the beach

April Ross and Alix Klineman, or “the A-Team” as the duo is lovingly called, dominated the beach volleyball competition to capture gold in Tokyo. The Olympic title completed Ross’s trifecta, as she won silver and gold in her two previous Games. Klineman had a very different path to Tokyo, only partnering with Ross starting in 2017 and with less than a year of beach volleyball experience. Now, the pair are beach volleyball royalty.

CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH! 🥇

The A-Team of @AprilRossBeach and @alixklineman is GOLDEN in beach volleyball #TokyoOlympics x @TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/zxBfQOtZ6w

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021

10. Carissa Moore wins surfing gold

Carissa Moore added to her growing trophy cabinet, clinching the first-ever surfing Olympic gold medal during the Summer Games. The Team USA surfer followed up her podium-topping performance in Tokyo with her fifth WSL title, solidifying herself as a legend in the sport.

HISTORY for @rissmoore10!

She is the FIRST EVER Olympic gold medalist in women's surfing! 🌊#TokyoOlympics x @usasurfteam pic.twitter.com/iAwkdvT78t

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) July 27, 2021

11. Nelly Korda caps golden year

Nelly Korda had a landmark 2021, becoming the first golfer to win Olympic gold and a major championship in the same year. The 23-year-old tapped in a four-foot putt to capture gold on the Kasumigaseki Country Club’s 18^th hole before being embraced by sister Jessica in what was a historic moment for the Korda family, Team USA and the sport of golf.

GOLFING FOR GOLD!@NellyKorda wins Olympic GOLD in women's golf for Team USA! #SeeHerShine | #OlympicHERstory pic.twitter.com/3AcXvcMUAp

— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) August 7, 2021

12. Christine Sinclair wins elusive Olympic gold

Christine Sinclair is already a bona fide soccer legend. At 38 years old, she has the most international goals of all active players with 188 and has won just about every award there is to win in the sport. An Olympic gold, however, had always eluded the Canadian superstar, until this summer, when Sinclair and Canada downed Sweden in a thrilling PK shootout to win gold after defeating the USWNT on their path to victory.

FOR THE FIRST TIME - CANADA HAS WON GOLD IN WOMEN'S SOCCER! 🥇#TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/nj0TwLt8Z9

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021

13. Cat Osterman retires (again)

Cat Osterman hung up her cleats for good this year after coming out of retirement for the Tokyo Olympics. The American pitcher helped Team USA to a silver medal and officially closed out her historic career with a successful Athletes Unlimited season, coming second in strikeouts after winning the league’s inaugural season in 2020. On top of an Athletes Unlimited title, Osterman leaves the sport with two Olympic silver medals and a gold, and is widely considered one of the best pitchers in softball history.

Making HER-story— Cat Osterman throws the FIRST no-hitter in Athletes Unlimited history 🥳

Congrats, @catosterman 👏#BeUnlimited // 📺: FOX Sports App pic.twitter.com/22Rsvr7mwZ

— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) August 29, 2021

14. Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi do it again

The Team USA basketball dynasty continued in 2021, with the Tokyo squad winning the program’s seventh straight gold during the Summer Olympic Games. Legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi made their own history in Tokyo, becoming the first basketball players to win five Olympic gold medals. After the team’s 90-75 victory over Japan, Bird talked about the next generation of players carrying the Team USA torch in the future, while Taurasi signed off the interview by saying, “see you in Paris.” It might have only been a joke about the 2024 Olympics in France, but we’re not counting either GOAT out yet.

"It's not just about us. It's about all the players that have either set the stage or those that are on it right now."

Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi after winning the seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal for women's @usabasketball. #TokyoOlympics #OlympicHERstory pic.twitter.com/uxq3GmBzur

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2021

15. Trinity Rodman’s grand debut

Trinity Rodman fielded one of the most compelling rookie seasons in NWSL history, finishing the season with seven goals and seven assists. The youngest player drafted in NWSL history, the 18-year-old ran away with the NWSL’s Rookie of the Year race while also helping lead the Washington Spirit to their first-ever NWSL Championship. Sharing the pitch with some of the best in the game, Rodman was perhaps the most impactful player in the final against the Chicago Red Stars, registering the game-winning assist.

Picture-perfect first goal of the season from @kelleymohara 🔥#WASvCHI | @CBS | #NWSL21 pic.twitter.com/89ohWFr9Dl

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 20, 2021

16. Emma Raducanu wins the US Open

This year’s US Open was one for the history books, featuring an all-teenage final between two previously unknowns: Canada’s Leylah Fernandez and England’s Emma Raducanu. The 18-year-old Raducanu pulled out the win over Fernandez, clinching the Grand Slam without ever dropping a set, the first person to do so since 2014. The Englishwoman was also the first qualifier ever to capture the US Open title and the first British woman to win a Grand Slam in 44 years. Raducanu’s meteoric rise catapulted her to international fame, as the rookie firmly planted herself at the fore of tennis’ next generation.

The teenage dream has become a reality. 🇬🇧 @EmmaRaducanu | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/UttQmLteeJ

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) September 11, 2021

17. Shalane Flanagan’s marathon of marathons

Shalane Flanagan crossed the finish line at the New York City Marathon with a time of 2:33:32, completing her goal of running six marathons in six weeks. The 2017 NYC Marathon winner completed the Berlin, Boston, London, Tokyo (remote), Chicago and New York Marathons, running each of them in under three hours. The 40-year-old, now retired from professional running, celebrated the self-imposed project by cheering USWNT icon and fellow NYC Marathon participant Abby Wambach at the race’s finish line.

.@AbbyWambach celebrates her finish with @ShalaneFlanagan —and we hear she finished with a strong “kick” ! (😉) pic.twitter.com/uRI24Dfqgd

— TCS New York City Marathon (@nycmarathon) November 7, 2021

18. Candace Parker brings WNBA title to Chicago

Candace Parker had a 2021 to remember, winning a WNBA Championship with her hometown team, the Chicago Sky, in her first year with the squad. Parker led the Sky in an unlikely title run, clinching the league championship after entering the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. With help from Finals MVP Kahleah Copper and seasoned veterans Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot, Parker clinched her second WNBA title and Chicago’s first championship in franchise history. Later, Parker announced her marriage to Anya Petrakova, with the couple expecting their first child together. Did anyone have a better 2021?

🥺🥺🥺🥺

💙 you, #skytown pic.twitter.com/6aBY8XwBag

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) October 17, 2021

19. The NWSL’s moment of solidarity

The NWSL underwent a league-wide reckoning in 2021 after multiple players went public with a series of accusations of abuse and misconduct against several prominent coaches. A bombshell report in The Athletic rocked the league, with former players Mana Shim and Sinead Farrelly going on the record with claims of sexual coercion and abuse against former North Carolina coach Paul Riley. The story spurred a sequence of events, including NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird stepping down from her position and the players taking a weekend off from competition. When the athletes returned, they paused at the sixth minute of their matches to recognize the years of silence both Shim and Farrelly endured. A list of demands accompanied the move, instigating an international and ongoing conversation on players’ rights and safety. Needless to say, the league will never be the same.

pic.twitter.com/mlzE5Q8q8F

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 6, 2021

20. Carli Lloyd’s Philly send-off

Carli Lloyd received a sendoff fit for her historic career after the 39-year-old icon announced she would retire at the end of the NWSL season. Before Lloyd hung up her cleats, her hometown fans got one final chance to watch her play in Subaru Park in Philadelphia after Gotham FC organized a farewell match. The USWNT legend was given a proper salute from nearly 10,000 fans, delivering an emotional farewell speech after the game.

Salute, @CarliLloyd 🐐 pic.twitter.com/WmsRD4fOND

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 7, 2021

21. Washington Spirit win NWSL title

The Washington Spirit captured the team’s first NWSL Championship in franchise history in November after a rollercoaster season. On the pitch, the team persevered despite several off-field controversies, including former coach Richie Burke’s being fired following reports of abuse, an ongoing public dispute between owners, and two forced forfeits due to a violation of COVID protocols. The Spirit weathered the storm to end their season on a seven-game win streak, including a thrilling 2-1 victory over Chicago in the NWSL final.

🎥 Clips from the 'Ship 🎥#WASvCHI | @Nationwide pic.twitter.com/ded0rd9QZQ

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) November 21, 2021

LPGA star Nelly Korda publicly questioned TMRW Sports' decision to establish a new indoor women's golf league this week. Instead, she argued, TGL should look to integrate LPGA players into the existing TGL competition alongside their PGA counterparts.

Speaking with Golfweek as she prepares for the new season, Korda characterized the choice to create the WTGL as a separate entity as a "missed opportunity." The former world No. 1 suggested that combining men's and women's competitors would be a transformative moment for professional golf.

Korda went on to suggest that competing for identical prize purses would break historical ground. She also expressed surprise that other players have yet to voice similar concerns about TGL's segregated structure.

Co-founded by golf legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, TMRW Sports revealed plans for its WTGL offshoot earlier this month. The women's competition will utilize the same technology-driven simulator format that launched at Florida's SoFi Center during TGL's first season.

Multiple high-profile LPGA players have signed on to participate in WTGL's debut season, set for this winter. The roster includes reigning No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, along with established stars like Lydia Ko, Charley Hull, Lexi Thompson, Brooke Henderson, Rose Zhang, and rising star Lottie Woad.

Korda's name has been conspicuously absent from these announcements.

Regarding her potential participation, Korda indicated she remains undecided while evaluating scheduling demands and operational details. Her primary focus currently centers on preparation for the LPGA season, which kicks off this week with the Tournament of Champions.

While Korda balanced her critique by saying the WTGL offers valuable opportunities, she maintained that an integrated league would have more impact on expanding the pro women's golf's reach.

Ford Motor Company has been named the official vehicle of the LPGA Tour, kicking off a multi-year partnership at the 2026 Tournament of Champions in Orlando this week.

This marks the Tour's first official vehicle partner since 2018's Kia sponsorship. Ford has served as a tournament title sponsor since 2024, demonstrating the auto giant's commitment to women's golf.

The expanded partnership includes the Power Her Drive mentorship program, designed to support LPGA players in the early stages of their careers. The program will specifically target athletes in their first or second years, providing resources, career guidance, and development opportunities.

"At Ford, we believe in the power of human capability and potential," said Ford chief marking officer Lisa Materazzo.

"By teaming up with the LPGA Tour in a completely new way, we’re not just sponsoring tournaments, but we're investing in the careers and futures of the next generation of professional athletes."

Ford will also become presenting sponsor of Drive On, a longstanding storytelling campaign focused on highlighting pro golfers' journeys. The collaboration aims to empower girls and women both on and off the golf course.

LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan expressed gratitude for Ford's alignment with the tour, noting that the partnership demonstrates recognition of the transformative power of women's sports.

The Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass is scheduled to return this spring. The tournament will tee off March 26th at Whirlwind Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona.

UConn basketball will celebrate one of its most consistent stars Wednesday night, when WNBA standout and UConn alum Aaliyah Edwards becomes the latest Huskies of Honor member before the women's team hosts Xavier at Gampel Pavilion.

Edwards epitomized reliability throughout her career at UConn, missing just three games in four seasons while steadily improving her game. She earned BIG EAST Sixth Woman of the Year in 2021 and BIG EAST Most Improved Player in 2023. In her final year, she collected 2024 All-BIG EAST, Wooden Award All-American, and WBCA All-American honors.

The Kingston, Ontario native racked up 1,861 points and 1,020 rebounds through her four years, finishing 16th in program history in total career points and eighth in rebounds. The Washington Mystics took Edwards No. 6 overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, before a midseason trade saw her join the Connecticut Sun last year.

Legendary UConn basketball coach Geno Auriemma praised Edwards's approach, celebrating both her improvement and her drive during a rough run for the now-No. 1 team.

"Sometimes careers go smoothly; sometimes it's rocky," said Auriemma. "[Edwards] managed to make the best out of a very difficult situation."

Her No. 3 jersey will be added to the wall at Gampel Pavilion during tonight's ceremony.

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Of course, today's reigning NCAA champions enter the Xavier rematch on a perfect 21-0 record, having won 16 consecutive victories by at least 25 points. The Huskies routed the unranked Musketeers 104-39 in their first meeting back in late November, hitting a season-high 18 three-pointers while forcing 31 turnovers.

Despite their odds, Auriemma emphasized that UConn basketball must avoid complacency going forward. The team already faced challenges against Seton Hall in Saturday's weather-impacted matchup, overcoming an early deficit to win 92-52.

How to watch UConn basketball in this week's NCAA slate

UConn tips off against Xavier on Wednesday at 7 PM ET, live on Peacock.

However, bigger tests are looming as the Huskies prepare to face SEC mainstay No. 15 Tennessee this Sunday at 12 PM ET, live on FOX.

Tennis legend Serena Williams publicly defended Coco Gauff following the young US star's viral racket-smashing moment at the Australian Open, offering support and advice to the world No. 3.

After Gauff suffered a 6-1, 6-2 quarterfinal loss to Elina Svitolina in just 59 minutes on Tuesday, cameras captured her smashing her racket in frustration while walking through the Rod Laver Arena tunnel. The 21-year-old had intentionally left the court hoping to avoid public view, but the TV broadcast chose to air the moment live.

Serena Williams quickly came to Gauff's defense on social media, echoing sentiments shared by her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The 44-year-old assured Gauff that passion and caring matter, and there's nothing wrong with hating to lose.

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Serena Williams then playfully offered to teach Gauff how to demolish a racket in one swing, referencing her own history with similar outbursts during her legendary career.

Gauff responded to the criticism by emphasizing she deliberately avoids breaking rackets on court and only did so in what she believed was a private space. She called for increased privacy for players, noting that the locker room serves as the Melbourne tournament's only truly private area.

Williams faced similar scrutiny throughout her decorated career, garnering attention for emotional displays including racket-smashing incidents resulting in fines. Despite occasional controversies, she became one of the greatest athletes of all time, winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles and holding the No. 1 ranking for 186 consecutive weeks.

Jessica Pegula and Iga Świątek also voiced support for Gauff, agreeing that cameras have become too intrusive at tournaments. The incident subsequently sparked broader conversations about player privacy and mental health in professional tennis.