SHORT CORNER
Australian Open brings in final set tie-breaks
Tie-breaks will be used in the final set at the Australian Open for the first time next year after organisers decided to follow Wimbledon in abandoning advantage final sets.
In matches that reach 6-6 in the final set, the winner will be the first to reach 10 points. The decision was made "following the most extensive consultation in the tournament's history", organisers said.
Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said: "We asked the players -- both past and present, commentators, agents and TV analysts whether they wanted to play an advantage final set or not, and went from there."
He said the choice of the longer 10-point tiebreak would "ensure the fans still get a special finale to these often epic contests". -- Afp
Ronaldo only wanted Juventus, says agent
Juventus were the only club Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to join when he decided to leave Real Madrid, according to the player's agent Jorge Mendes.
Ronaldo ended his trophy-laden nine-year stint at Madrid in the close-season, joining Serie A giants Juve in a deal worth €112million, and has scored 12 goals in 21 appearances across all competitions since his arrival in Turin.
And Mendes has revealed that Ronaldo had his heart set on a switch to Juve since the start of 2018.
"Ronaldo told me that he only wanted to play in Juventus," Mendes told Rai Sport. "I want to make it clear that the idea was borne of himself, and in January 2018, the few people who knew the subject and I thought it would be very difficult to bring Cristiano to Juventus." -- Agencies
Neymar's cookie dream
Brazil star Neymar has opened up on the struggles of his upbringing and revealed how a lack of cookies gave him motivation to become a rich and successful footballer.
In an open and honest interview with YouTube channel O Primo Rico, the PSG forward recounts one particular story about being owed cookies from his mother and how that fuelled a fire inside him to become a successful player.
He said: "There's a story with my mum and I think most people know it. I really wanted to eat cookies but we didn't have any, so my mum said: 'Son we don't have more money, there's no way. I'll owe you this week, maybe next week when dad gets his payment, we can buy it.'"
"At the same time I told her, 'mum it's OK. One day I will be very rich. I'll buy a cookie factory so I can eat whenever I want'. My mum cries when she tells that story because it was really touching for her." -- Agencies
Benzema buoyed by fan support
Karim Benzema has reiterated his commitment to Real Madrid, and believes he now has the full respect of Los Blancos' fans.
Benzema is Madrid's top scorer this season, with 11 goals across all competitions. The former Lyon forward netted the winner in Madrid's last LaLiga outing, as Santiago Solari's side edged past Rayo Vallecano.
And Benzema has revealed that the reception he received following his goal against Rayo shows he has the full trust of the fans, and his team-mates.
"The ovation that the Bernabeu gave me the other day against Rayo Vallecano made me feel like they respect me," Benzema told MARCA.
"My commitment to this team is absolute. I feel like the group trusts in me. It's true that there is a new Karim, one who is about football and one who is about goals." -- Agencies
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