It's clay time

There's a coup in the air and the pretenders to the crown are sliding their feet in glee. None more so than the man who currently wields the tennis racquet as a magic wand. The wizardry has not borne fruit on the Parisian red dirt yet but each passing year takes Nole that little bit closer to completing his impeccable collection. Not many would stand against Novak's place among the pantheon of greats but he certainly won't like to end up a la Lendl who conquered everything but never bit the grass. With just a single Argentine triumph at an ATP250 event, the emperor looks the most vulnerable he has ever been in his remarkable career on his beloved surface. A tenth title at Roland Garros is certain to provide the much needed fillip Rafael Nadal needs to jump start his lack luster return after getting that troublesome appendix removed. Losses to the Italian Fognini and the humbling he had to face against the blissfully married Murray on his home turf would certainly put a dent in the indomitable Mallorcan's confidence. Having dropped out of the top 5 in the rankings is not going to make the draw any easier and an early meeting with either the world number one or Murray is a real possibility. The normal whipped forehand has proved troublesome and the movement far from the tip toeing we are accustomed to. Whether its just rustiness or a physical niggle lingers is anybody's guess but the second grand slam of the year may see a seismic shift in the balance of power in men's tennis this year. Novak has been swamping aside anything that has come his way and with the Aussie open already under his belt and an ATP1000 title at his current home in Monte Carlo, a career grand slam should dominate the Serb's dreams. In Boris, he has someone who carries the burden of not having taken the clay home. While the German may not be able to tell him how to win the holy grail but he can surely let him know how not to lose. Andy Murray has been climbing back at the same rate as Rafa has been sliding and his form makes him a good bet to go all the way. If he can turn marital bliss into that calming influence, he could be the man to throw the spanner in the works of the firm of Djokovic and Nadal.

One more?

Serena starts a firm favorite in any tournament she plays. Her contemporaries have long disappeared either into domestic duties or slipped into the stream of time. She, however stands tall bearing the torch of a generation most teens today wouldn't identify with. What they certainly would be acquainted to is the Canadian Eugenie Bouchard. While she has been able to scorch the courts with her looks and play, her cabinet does not boast of a grand slam title yet. She has Simona Halep for company when it comes to boasting stakes and the Romanian would like desperately to get her name on the Suzanne Lenglen trophy. Maria Sharapova may be the defending champion but she may find it a tad difficult to defend her title with the years on the roll. But the lady who once described her play on clay akin to "a cow on ice" may still have a few tricks up her sleeve to surprise. A scintillating fortnight awaits with a hegemony on the line and history in the waiting. Bon Apetit.

Steven Gerrard says good bye to Anfield today against Crystal Palace. His has been a career that legends are made of. Its hard to see players today sticking to a club for as long as he has and while he may be past his glory days, the Liverpool faithful will miss the spark he provided. The high point of his stay has to be the incredulous come from behind win at the Champions League final against Milan at Istanbul. in 2005. After trailing by 3 goals at half time, a Gerrard inspired reds turned the tables on the fabled Maldini's team. The low has to be not winning the league even once over his 17 year stay at the Merseyside. Another grudge would be to have been part of some underwhelming performances at the world cup manning the famous midfield along side Frank Lampard and David Beckham. All in all, Steven Gerrard played with distinction and his inclination to return back to where he started, possibly in a coaching role would be well received by the club. As always, you will never walk alone.