Defending champion Maria Sharapova and top seed Simona Halep pulled out of the Brisbane International Tuesday citing injuries, depriving the contest of two of its main drawcards.

Sharapova withdrew from the season-opening event with a left forearm injury, saying it was a precautionary move ahead of the Australian Open later this month.

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao said he would end his legendary career after fighting Timothy Bradley in April to concentrate on his political career, dousing hopes for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather.

The winner of an unprecedented eight world titles, who has flirted with the idea of running for president, said he was confident of winning a senate seat in the May elections.

Inter Milan will be looking over their shoulders at resurgent champions Juventus when they travel to Empoli on Wednesday.

Roberto Mancini's Serie A leaders spurned the chance to put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack when they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Lazio prior to the festive break, leaving them just one point ahead of Fiorentina and Napoli.

It is more than 20 years since Everton last won a trophy and Roberto Martinez says more silverware is long overdue as his side prepare for Wednesday's League Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City.

The FA Cup in 1995 was the last addition to the trophy cabinet at Goodison Park, which during the 1980s had also been home to two league titles and a further FA Cup success in 1984.

Real Madrid sacked coach Rafael Benitez after just seven months in charge on Monday with club legend Zinedine Zidane replacing the Spaniard.

"We have taken the difficult decision to rescind the contract of Rafael Benitez as coach," said Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Liverpool great Steven Gerrard could return to the club in a coaching capacity as early as this year, he revealed in a British newspaper interview published on Saturday.

Gerrard, 35, left Liverpool for the Los Angeles Galaxy last year, but he has been training on Merseyside during the Major League Soccer close season and is now eyeing a role on Jurgen Klopp's coaching staff.

Hassan Whiteside tallied 25 points and 19 rebounds and the Miami Heat got the job done without Dwyane Wade in the starting lineup with a 106-82 win over Dallas on Friday.

An ailing Wade came in off the bench for just the 10th time in his career after falling ill enough with the flu that he needed a pre-game IV.

Six weeks after completing one of the greatest seasons in tennis history, Novak Djokovic begins his 2016 campaign and warm-up for his Australian Open defense in Qatar.

The Serbian, also current holder of Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, heads a strong field at the Qatar Open starting in Doha on Monday, which also includes Rafael Nadal, Tomas Berdych and defending champion David Ferrer.

Arsene Wenger has revealed Mesut Ozil rarely trains between matches as he looks to keep the German playmaker in peak condition for Arsenal's Premier League title charge.

Ozil has been the key figure in Arsenal's rise to the top of the table and has already provided a league leading 16 assists this season.

Aston Villa manager Remi Garde insists he won't quit even if his struggling side are relegated from the Premier League.

Villa are rooted to the bottom of the table as they prepare to face fellow strugglers Sunderland on Saturday.