YouthSportsCulture.org

The whole of Rolland Garros stood up to applaud Rafael Nadal as he hit the winning shot and gave a flying kiss in the finals of the 2010 French Open. Nadal, who has already won this prestigious tennis tournament 4 times before, now becomes the second player after Bjorn Borg to win the French Open 5 times. The stylish and handsome Spanish who is now the World Number 1 displayed all round attack and won with absolute confidence against Robin Soderling.

Nadal With The Winners Trophy

From the start of the match itself, Swedish Soderling was no match against the prolific Nadal and could not put up much resistance. The latter showed supreme form right from the very first set and eventually won by 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. This win will really be a boost for Nadal who had been plagued by injuries in the last year. It will really instill more confidence and help him retain the current world title.

Nadal was determined to reverse the fortunes and take revenge against  Soderling who had defeated him in last year’s final of the French Open and this time he proved his worth. The opponent was never allowed to play freely and showed lackluster performance in the entire match. In the first set itself, Nadal broke him to take control of the set by 6-4.

In the second set, Soderling tried to come back but failed to capitalize on the opportunities due to Nadal’s excellent show of skills. He was never allowed to dominate. With a combination of high class drop shots and forehands, the latter was again able to win two vital break points in the set and ended up with 6-2.

Nadal's Power Packed Backhand

Things were already going out of control for Soderling in the third set and the strong serves of Nadal were too much for him. The former was losing energy and confidence steadily and at one time was looking like completely surrendering to the latter’s mode of play. On the other hand, Nadal was gaining on confidence shot after shot and was absolutely taking his rival into grip. Towards the end Soderling did showed some descent display of shots but was easily overcome. Nadal finished the set with 6-4 and went on to win without much trouble.

Rafael Nadal has been successful in clay courts as it suites his attacking style of play and strong serves. This win will really be another feather into his cap and also please thousands of tennis fans all round the globe.

Since the English soccer season is about to come to an end to an end the hush hush has begun! Though the talks are still in the initial stages but the clubs are making big moves for the next season. Let’s take a look at the people who will probably dawn in new colors come the next season:

David Silva – This Valencia winger has been made a final offer £15m by Liverpool.

Diego Forlan – As Silva is not a certainty so Liverpool has approached the Athletico Madrid and Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan in a swap deal for Lucas Leiva. The only problem in this deal is the transfer fee.

Dodo – Manchester United have agreed on a £5.4m deal for the Corinthians center back Dodo. This 17 year old Brazilian footballer is a part of Manchester United future projects.

Bojan Krkic – Blackburn have expressed their desire to take the Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic on loan.

Antonio Valencia – To add to the miseries of Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce his star Antonio Valencia is in the shopping list of Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Mark Schwarzer – The star of the season for Fulham Mark Schwarzer has already been linked with a couple of clubs namely Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

Emanuel Adebayor – Chelsea are in hot pursuit of this Togolese centre forward playing for Arsenal.

Ashley Young – In order to strengthen their team Guus Hiddink and Chelsea are looking to rope in Aston Villa’s Ashley Young.

Edin Dzeko – Bosnia and Wolfsburg forward Edin Dzeko has had primary talks with Chelsea bosses but his joining the club is still a distant possibility.

Roque Santa Cruz – Tottenham Hotspur are looking for sharp striker and they have set their eyes on Balckburn Rovers’ Santa Cruz. It seems that this will be a swap deal where Darren Bent would land up in Blackburn.

Paul Scharner – Newcastle United are trying to rope in Wigan Athletic’s centre back Paul Scharner to give boost to their week defence.

Gael Givet – This Marseille joined Blackburn Rovers on loan in January and has impressed one and all. Impressive performances are about to earn Givet a permanent signing.

Though there is still so much time to go before the next season starts that the whole scenario might change but many of these deals might also be finalized.

Is Michael Phelps a shark – both in the water and off it! The question stirs all in the sport circuit. Like sharks on a feeding frenzy, Phelps is regular in gobbling up almost 12,000 calories a day, a diet that is probably fit to feed a small tiger! Michael Phelps, the swimming prodigy hailing from the US, who won 8 gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (out of the 14 golds he has had in his Olympic swimming career till date).

Here is a brief image of what Phelps’ diet look like-

In Breakfast, Phelps has three fried-egg sandwiches with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and mayonnaise with fried onions. This is followed by two cups of coffee, a bowl of grits and a five-egg omelet. The rest is a helping of three slices of French toast with powdered-sugar topping and three wholesome choco-chip pancakes.

In Lunch, Phelps intake comprises a pound of rich pasta, two large cheese and ham sandwiches with mayonnaise on slices of white bread. He gulps these down with energy drinks worth a whopping 1,000 calories.

In Dinner, Phelps helps himself to another pound of enriched pasta, a whole pizza along with supplementary energy drinks.

If you are still wondering how the man survives with the intake of such a huge amount of calorie-rich food, you have got to take a peek at his workout. If Phelps eats food enough to suffice the appetite of six men, his rigorous workout scheme burns off the entire intake. According to experts, while other men and athletes exercise to burn off the food they have consumed, it is the other way round for Phelps. With the amount of workout and exercise that his body has to endure, the massive diet is only necessary to replenish the energy lost!

With his strict exercising regimen as well as vigorous and punctual practice schedules, Phelps and his diet has become almost a point of reverence. Not only because of the magnitude of the diet alone, but because of the absence of a single ounce of flab on Phelps’ physique despite it.