The 4 time champion of the red stuff in Paris was sent packing and now it has opened the door for Roger Federer to win his first ever title at Roland Garros. But I feel it has taken the shine off the tournament, if you want to be the best player in the world you need to beat the best on the surface.  Now that Nadal is chilling in his pool, Federer has every opportunity to win in Paris, but it won’t be the revenge he has sought for so long because now he can’t beat the world’s best clay court player in the final ( should he make it - of course). Rafa’s absence is a pity though as you have to appreciate the sheer class of the best player on the red stuff, but there are several other stars who are going to pose a major challenge for the world number two, the likes of Jo Wilfred Tsonga, Gael Monfils, Fernando Gonzalez, Juan Martin Del Potro and the “slayer of the Matador” – Robin Soderling.

Federer won’t be too phased that Nadal is missing after all he is focused on winning the 14th Grand Slam of his career, equaling the marvelous record of Pete Sampras. Rafa or no Rafa, I don’t think Federer cares as long as he goes on to win the elusive title in Paris for the first time.

Regardless of who you support, you want to see a final between Rafa and Roger, the world number one and number two slugging it out for top spot is the big ticket, especially at a Grand Slam. Now that Nadal is resting by the pool in Spain, many expect the world number two to go on and win in Paris, but it is not exactly what the event organizers would have liked. The possibility of a Frenchman reaching the final is second prize, but any final, even if it was Davydenko and Soderling would fill Phillipe Chatrier on men’s finals day.  So the tournament is not doomed because of Rafa’s exit, it just means that the chances of an epic final like at Wimbledon last year are extremely slim and that Federer’s chances of winning Roland Garros for the first time have just increased.

Sport has had its terrific rivalries in the past, especially in tennis, but this time round only one of the rivals will be able to go on to the final, well that is if the cool Swiss has his game face on, the French Open is now Federer’s to lose.

The Indian Premier League is set to get underway in less than two weeks time and staging the tournament must be regarded as another feather in the cap of South Africa. Yet another massive event being held in this country means the world considers South Africa as a top class venue for International sporting events. The ICC Champions trophy, the Confederations Cup, the World Cup and now the IPL all on South African soil means we are doing something right. Obviously there are concerns over crime, but our security services have proved that in and around the venues for these events that crime is not a factor. The Army and Police service have displayed their capabilities and are more than prepared for any situation.  

I can see why South Africa is an attractive venue; the weather is great all year round, okay so winter on the Highveld is chilly, but nothing that will produce a snow storm. The currency is favourable, the stadia are world class and the population is sports mad! Safety and security is guaranteed as there are no imminent terrorist threats on the horizon. It all makes for the perfect venue to stage these events.

I met the legendary Adam Gilchrist at a Titans/Deccan Chargers clash and the approachable “Gilly” was thrilled to be back playing cricket in South Africa. Gilchrist heaped praise on the facilities and conditions and said that SA was in for a great IPL. Another Aussie Darren Lehman said it was like being back “home”, sounds like South Africa is a favourite amongst our foreign cricketers.

I recently arrived back from Hong Kong and was surprised to see how great the airport was looking and accommodating it was. I had a few hours to kill before connecting to Durban and took a stroll through OR Tambo International. There were cell phone shops, banks, not just ATMs, great eating spots, music shops, clothing and much more.

The only concern remains the parking, it is still a mission to find a spot and despite having long term parking, spaces are seriously limited! My advice, get dropped and then enjoy the airport, don’t waste your time looking for a spot to park.

We are in for a fantastic IPL and Confed Cup, not to mention the 2010 World Cup which we will definitely host in true African style, I just wish we could get an idea of what games were where and between who so that we could have a choice of matches, the fact that the 2010 LOC are crying about ticket sales is insulting, especially if you buy a ticket and then get to watch Cambodia and Uzbekistan. Let us know where Bafana are playing and then have a go at us for not buying tickets.

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We are in for a bumpy ride come the end of the English Premiership season. Everyone appears to be fascinated with the title chase which they should be, but there is an equally fascinating battle developing at the bottom end of the table. The dreaded relegation zone! There are several teams who could face the drop, in particular several big clubs like Newcastle United, Blackburn, Bolton, Middlebrough and Portsmouth. Three of them have already tasted life in the championship, but face the reality of being out of the top flight mix. The financial implications are not something a so called big club would like to even consider during the current economic climate. The Magpies boast 52 000 fans every home game and relegation might not see the fans support waver, but will see riots on Tyneside. Just like when “King Kev” resigned for the second time.

Relegation is simply not an option for a club like Newcastle, 24 points are on offer from 8 games and 11 points should mean safety. The Toon are currently on 29 from 30 games and in dire straits. But with Michael Owen on the brink of return, Obafemi Martins and Kevin Nolan in the mix, they could secure the 11 points and avoid the drop. Joe Kinnear’s men face Chelsea at St James’ next and then that is followed by a tricky visit to Stoke and then a trip to the North of London to face Tottenham. All in all there are points on offer, albeit against tough opposition and the players to do it. If Newcastle survives the drop, a complete overhaul is needed, from top to bottom. There are players that need to be axed, defenders in general and a few of the old Man U rejects also need to go.

A new manager who has International experience needs to come in and bring in some discipline to the club, as well as some spark back to the club once known as “the Entertainers”. A guy like Alan Shearer might not have the International experience, but has the “Toon” in his blood and understands what it takes for success on Tyneside. Bring on Shearer and let him get stuck in with a decent budget and complete control of the team.

I still feel, although I am concerned, that Newcastle United will survive the drop with West Brom, Middlesbrough and Stoke or Blackburn to down. There are at least 9 clubs that could go down, expect a gut wrenching final day of the season. Come on the Toon Army!