Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Kaka is in "perfect shape" following the knee surgery he underwent in August, the Belgian doctor who performed the operation said in comments published Wednesday.

"Kaka needed to have the surgery, he could not play with the pain he was feeling and the treatment he has had since the operation has been perfect," sports daily Marca quoted Doctor Marc Martens as saying.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted on Tuesday that his club will not make a bid to sign David Beckham in the January transfer window.

Beckham is keen to return to the Premier League on a three-month loan from the LA Galaxy during the MLS off-season as he tries to show England coach Fabio Capello he is still worthy of a place in his squad.

American tennis legend John McEnroe said Tuesday that there were no likely challengers who could break Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's stranglehold on the game's top tournaments.

"Federer and Nadal are two of the greatest players that have ever lived," McEnroe told reporters ahead of the exhibition Hong Kong Tennis Classic.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has included Kaka in his squad for the first time this season, selecting the Brazil playmaker in his squad for the Spanish league derby against Getafe.

Kaka has not played for the Spanish club since undergoing surgery on his left knee on Aug. 5.

Venus Williams says she's looking forward to a healthy season for herself and sister Serena after an injury-plagued year for the siblings.

The Williams sisters, who have 20 Grand Slam singles titles between them, both saw their years cut short in 2010. Serena missed the rest of the season after winning Wimbledon in July, following a cut on her right foot. She is still recovering and will miss the Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 17.

AC Milan striker Robinho had to be replaced with a knee injury after colliding with a tevelvision camera near the sidelines during the Italian team's friendly against local club Al Ahli.

The Brazil forward had to be helped off the pitch in the 85th minute and didn't return in Milan's 2-1 victory on Sunday.

Australia, Japan and South Korea head into the Asian Cup as clear favorites in a tournament that will test Qatar's ability to host a major event after being controversially awarded the 2022 World Cup.

The three-week football festival, featuring the region's top 16 teams, kicks off on January 7 when the hosts face Uzbekistan ahead of the final on January 29.

Defending champion Carlos Sainz has vowed to show respect and modesty as he sets about his hunt for a second triumph in the grueling 13-stage Dakar Rally which starts on Saturday.

The 48-year-old Spaniard, the world rally champion in 1990 and 1992 who converted to cross country rallying in 2005, led last year's Dakar from the fifth stage to finish ahead of Volkswagen teammates, and chief rivals, Nasser al-Attiyah and Mark Miller.

Defending champions Egypt are teetering on the brink of elimination from the African Nations Cup going into the new year while Botswana are just one win away from a fairytale first appearance.

The struggle for 14 places at the premier national-team football competition on the continent will dominate 2011 with four rounds of qualifiers starting in March and ending seven months later.

Clearer of mind and fitter of body than for some time, Serbian glamor girl Ana Ivanovic is confident she can climb back into the top 10 in 2011.

Ranked no.1 in the world in 2008, when she won her only Grand Slam singles title at the French Open,