THE British and Irish Lions drew a memorable series against New Zealand, athletics said goodbye to Usain Bolt and Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal rolled back the years on the tennis court. Here, we review 10 lessons from 2017.

Drawing a rugby international is like "kissing your sister".

That was the verdict of All Blacks coach Steve Hansen after the third Test against the Lions finished in a 15-15 draw, resulting in the first drawn series since 1955. The Lions had fought back superbly after losing the first Test, although Ireland flanker Sean O'Brien later claimed the tourists should have won 3-0 with better coaching from Warren Gatland and his staff.

Lewis Hamilton reigns supreme on the track – like it or not.

Formula One world champion for a fourth time, Hamilton is just 32 and could have many more titles left in him. But, despite being the most successful British driver in history, Hamilton seems destined to polarise opinion given his colourful lifestyle and F1 paddock antics, not to mention the recent revelations about tax arrangements for his private jet.

Federer and Nadal prove class is permanent...

At the end of 2016 you could have named your price on Federer and Nadal completing a clean sweep of the grand slams, with both men seemingly past their prime – Federer's last major title was in 2012, Nadal's in 2014. However, the rejuvenated pair fought out a classic Australian Open final eventually won by Federer, who also claimed an eighth Wimbledon crown. Nadal secured a 10th French Open title and a third US Open victory.

...but Usain Bolt proves nothing lasts forever.

Bolt's appearance in the World Championships in London was meant to provide a fitting final chapter to a glorious career, but ended in agony as the Jamaican superstar pulled up injured on the final leg of the 4x100metres relay. Having only won a bronze in the 100m earlier in the week, it was a cruel way for athletics to lose its biggest attraction.

Doping in sport remains a major issue.

Bolt lost his 100m world title to convicted doper Justin Gatlin, although Gatlin's transgressions pale in comparison compared to the state-sponsored doping which saw the International Association of Athletics Federations suspend the Russian Athletics Federation and the International Olympic Committee ban Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. The only good news is that athletes denied medals by cheating rivals are slowly getting the recognition their efforts deserve.

England expects – even though it should know better.

With the other home nations failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, all eyes will be on England in Russia. A draw pitting Gareth Southgate's side with Belgium, Panama and Tunisia in Group G made reaching the knockout stages a highly achievable goal, but the exit from Euro 2016 at the hands of Iceland remains fresh in the memory.

Australia don't need help to win the Ashes.

With Ben Stokes unavailable due to an off-field incident, the last thing England needed was more controversy and, although the separate incidents in Perth bars involving Jonny Bairstow and Ben Duckett were relatively trivial, they indicated a lack of discipline and common-sense from a side with a mountain to climb.

Don't believe the hype.

Deep down we all knew that UFC champion Conor McGregor had no chance of becoming the first man to beat Floyd Mayweather – and so it proved. McGregor was as brave as expected but ultimately outclassed and stopped in the 10th round, with Mayweather reportedly having tried to bet US dollars 400,000 on precisely that result.

Never rule out Tom Brady....

Trailing 28-3 to the Atlanta Falcons, the New England Patriots looked certain to lose Super Bowl LI before storming back to win 34-28 in overtime. Brady was named MVP for the fourth time after leading the Patriots to a record fifth Super Bowl win.

....or Sergio Garcia.

Garcia himself had written off his chances of winning a major after numerous near-misses, but finally claimed one of golf's biggest prizes at the 74th attempt by beating Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose in a play-off at the Masters.