Only the best JENSON Button says he would not move to Ferrari or any other team unless he can win the world championship with them. BAR-Honda hope to keep hold of the Briton, but he could leave for Williams next year and he was linked with a shock move to Ferrari over the weekend. But he said: "If Ferrari are the sixth best team next year I have no reason to move apart from a nice company car. That's not really enough, is it? "I want to be with the best team, whoever that is." A clause in Button's contract gives Williams first option on the Englishman in 2006. However, Williams has been forced to seek a new engine partner after BMW's decision to buy Sauber, meaning Button could opt to stay with BAR. BAR boss Nick Fry believes his team can offer Button the world title chance he craves. "We are very hopeful that Jenson is going to stay with us," he said. Not the same THE BRITISH and Irish Lions received a muted reception when they arrived back in Britain after their series whitewash in New Zealand. A small crowd gathered to applaud Sir Clive Woodward and his players and staff when they arrived at Heathrow. It was in sharp contrast to the scenes when England came back from the 2003 World Cup and thousands had gathered at the same airport in the early hours. The Lions lost the final Test 38-19 to New Zealand on Saturday. The All Blacks were dominant throughout the series as they swept to a 3-0 win and the Lions can expect more criticism over their pedestrian displays. Fame for Rusedski GREG Rusedski successfully defended his Hall of Fame Championships title with a three-set victory over Vince Spadea in Newport, Rhode Island. The British No 2 came from a break down in the final set to battle past the American 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 6-4 for the 15th tournament win of his career. "I was really, really pleased to win today," Rusedski said. "It's the first time I've defended a title. I really seem to like this grass in Newport." It is the third time he has won the event, which gave him his debut tour title in 1993. World No 57 Spadea looked in good shape when he recovered from losing the opening set to break twice in the second and again early in the third. But Rusedski hauled himself level at 4-4 in the decider and got what proved to be the decisive break to take the victory. Figo's goal FORMER World Player of the Year Luis Figo has revealed his desire to move from Real Madrid to Liverpool. The 32-year-old has one year left on his contract at Real and had been told he could leave on a free transfer, although that now appears uncertain. Figo said: "If the club doesn't see me as part of their plans, why won't they let me go? It's close but it's still up in the air and nothing has been finalised. "It's my dream to play for Liverpool but dreams don't always come true." Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Figo but the deal could depend on whether Real demands �2m for the Portugal international. "All we can do is wait. We have possibilities and Figo is one of them," said Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez. Baptista will stay ARSENAL target Julio Baptista has decided he wants to stay at Sevilla. "I want to stay with Sevilla for one more season," the 23-year-old Brazilian striker was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail newspaper. "Then I will be able to gain dual nationality and become a European citizen. If I went to Arsenal now, I would not be able to." Arsenal and another unnamed Premiership club, reported to be Tottenham, have had bids for Baptista turned down. Real Madrid and Barcelona are also thought to be interested in Baptista, a member of Brazil's squad in their recent Confederations Cup triumph. Baptista's current deal with Sevilla runs out in 2008 and he has rejected a new one. That prompted Arsenal's interest but Sevilla threatened to report the Gunners to FIFA after it was claimed Arsene Wenger had spoken to the player without the Spanish club's permission. Clark at last SOUTH Africa's Tim Clark won the Barclay's Scottish Open at Loch Lomond with a final round of 67. A birdie at the last hole assured him of victory, two shots ahead of Darren Clarke and Dutchman Maarten Lafeber. Lafeber, who had gone into the final round tied for the lead, had a two-under-par round of 69 to secure a place at next week's Open Championship. "I'm not thinking about the Open. I just want to savour this win," said Clark afterwards. "I really wanted to make that (birdie) putt on the last. I just didn't want to leave myself a ticklish putt to win. "Maarten played great golf today but the putts didn't go in. Fortunately I made a few birdies, but it was a tough day." Clark's 19-under-par total of 265 equalled Tom Lehman's tournament record and earned the South African his first European Tour win outside his native country. "It's always nice to win your national Open but, with the quality of the field here, this is a much bigger victory," he added. "I can now look to win more tournaments. To know I can play under the pressure is quite pleasing." Lafeber was philosophical about finishing as runner-up after going into the final round with a share of the lead. "Disappointing, but great to be in the Open," he said. "I played great today, but missed too many birdie chances and three-putted the 15th, and that stopped me. You need a bit of luck, but I didn't have any luck on the greens." Going to America BRITISH and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Carl Froch says he may have to move to America to fulfill his world title ambitions. The 28-year-old rising star defended his belts against Matthew Barney in his home town of Nottingham last week but with his promoter possibly without a terrestrial television contract following Frank Warren's deal with ITV, Froch is desperate for recognition. "I might have to win a world title in America and bring it back," he said. Froch, who is promoted by Mick Hennessy, says it would be a wrench to turn his back on his supporters but says it is a price worth paying. "Boxing at home is great, I like fighting in front of my Nottingham fans," he said. "Not many boxers get that sort of reception. Bar Ricky Hatton I'm probably the biggest ticket-seller in Britain. "Saying that, if the challenges aren't there and the television companies aren't willing to back us up, then I'll happily go to America. "A couple more fights at world level and I will be ready, knocking on the door for a world title. "If I get any British challengers, I'll defend it. But there aren't many out there that want to take me on. Merry leaving SYDNEY Olympic 400m bronze medallist Katharine Merry has announced her official retirement from athletics. Merry has been struggling with a foot injury, which forced her to miss last year's Olympics in Athens, since 2001. "I just put my kit down one day and said, 'I don't want to do this anymore'," the 30-year-old said. "I don't have any regrets. "I tried and one time it went right for me. I got my medal at the Olympics and I'm very happy for that."
