Neither Andy Murray or David Beckham have been shortlisted to receive titles in the New Year's Honours.
Both had been tipped to be awarded knighthoods for their 2013 achievements, with Murray ending the 77-year wait for a British Wimbledon champion and former England captain Beckham calling time on his illustrious career.
However, ex-Football Association chairman David Bernstein is the most high-profile nominee and will be awarded a CBE, as will 1969 SW19 winner Ann Jones for her prolonged work in tennis administration and West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady for services to entrepreneurship and women in business.
London Marathon race director Dave Bedford, retired England cricket selector Geoff Miller and the Three Lions' most capped women's footballer Rachel Yankey will all become OBEs.
Katy McLean, captain of the England women's rugby union team, is appointed MBE, and rugby league referee Stuart Cummings is honoured with the same accolade, but Murray and Beckham, who became a CBE in 2003, will not be with them at the Buckingham Palace ceremony next month.