WORLD OF SPORT
▷▷▷ Zidane cannot imagine Real with Ronaldo A popular saying in football is that no individual is bigger than their club. Well, Zinedine Zidane certainly does not appear to completely subscribe to that philosphy as he highlighted yesterday how important it was that Cristiano Ronaldo remains with Real Madrid. Zidane, the Madrid manager, said in a news conference in answer to speculation that the Portuguese forward could depart the Primera Liga champions: “I can’t imagine a Madrid without Cristiano. He’s in his club. Everyone, the club, the fans, want him [here]. We know what can be said outside but within, what Cristiano must do is just think about playing as he has been doing, and that’s what I want, to talk only about his attitude and what he can bring us.” Ronaldo, who has been with the club since 2009, has been linked with a return to Manchester United and also a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Ronaldo and Madrid are in action in the Copa del Rey tonight against Leganes.
▷▷▷ Teenager Kostyuk is much in demand The day’s early headlines at the Australian Open yesterday were written by 15-year-old Marta Kostyuk, who defeated Olivia Rogowska 6-3, 7-5 to become the youngest player in more than 20 years to reach the third round of a grand slam. The teenager, who was given a wild card into qualifying after winning the junior title last year, is causing quite a stir back home in the Ukraine. “I took my phone, and I had to eat at the same time,” she said. “My mum told me to leave the phone and eat properly, because I didn’t have a normal breakfast, that’s why I felt quite bad today on court. I didn’t still reply to a lot of people.” In the third round, Kostyuk will play fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, who struggled to a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Katerina Siniakova.
▷▷▷ Lucioni wants ‘different justice’ over doping ban Benevento captain Fabio Lucioni has vowed to fight a one-year doping ban imposed by Italy’s antidoping authority which he said has shattered his dream of playing in Serie A. The 30-year-old defender tested positive for the steroid clostebol after Benevento’s 1-0 loss to Torino in September. Team doctor Walter Giorgione said he was to blame for the failed test and he has also been banned for four years for administering the steroid to Lucioni in a spray. “I played all levels and finally got to Serie A when I was 30 years. My childhood dream has been taken from me,” Lucioni said. “I was hoping for a different justice and will continue to fight this disqualification.”