Get a freaking room, will ya?

Major players at Roland Garros this year.

Apart from the two big guns, Federer and Nadal, who are the other big boys likely to create a sensation? Who is most equipped to steal the limelight at the biggest stage?

Canas: He has to be the biggest threat, based on his unbelievable record this year. He has won two titles this year – one on clay. He reached the finals at Barcelona where Nadal beat him in straight sets.

Although his performance at Rome (second round) and Hamburg (first round) were disappointing, his physical strength and grittiness cannot be ignored on clay. He is more like a hyena who wears you down over long haul, instead of a quick swipe at the jugular. That is a perfect recipe for the red surface.

This is his biggest prize, since he is a clay court specialist, to officially announce his arrival from the doping suspension. If he is to win a Grand Slam ever, this is his chance. Expect him to throw everything including the kitchen sink at it, to capitalize on the opportunity.

There are not many players who can outrun him in a marathon match in Paris, specially at a five-setter in the final. Built like a tank, he respects his limitations of shot making, by not letting anything go past him. Everything is sent back until the prey tires and succumbs.

If he lands in Federer’s half, that could turn out to be an interesting tussle.

Djokovic: Having won his first title on clay this year at Estoril few weeks ago, Djokovic is not entering an entirely uncharted territory on the red surface.

He is unquestionably the hungriest of the bunch. When you break the top five barrier so early in life, impatience and extreme motivation is difficult to rein. What he lacks in experience and big moment savviness, he compensates with an intense burning desire, determination and boundless energy to win.

He has demonstrated enough game this year, to gain the attention and respect of the big dogs. He knows a breakthrough here, would go a long way in proclaiming his legitimate claim to the top spot this year.

He is smart enough to sense the indecisiveness and unsteadiness at the top, and is more than willing to move in for the kill. Having wins over Tommy Robredo and Richard Gasquet at Estoril few weeks ago, doesn’t hurt either.

First name, Federer and Nadal will look for, when they are handed the draw will be Djokovic.

Ferrer: He is having a pretty good clay season this year. No one has been able to stop him except Federer and Nadal in three of the four clay events he has played this season.

And for the first time in seven meetings he was able to take a set off Federer. Well, not sure how that plays with the changed landscape these days. But in Ferrer’s mind, it is a step up.

He also has the distinction of eliminating Djokovic at Monte Carlo in straight sets and Ljubicic at Hamburg again in straight sets. Here are his numbers:

-Monte Carlo – quarter – lost to Federer.
-Barcelona – semis – lost to Nadal.
-Rome – first round.
-Hamburg – quarter – lost to Federer.

Not a bad base to launch a spirited challenge at RG.

There appears to be a lot riding on this year’s Roland Garros. It could, in retrospective, be considered a turning point in the emergence of new faces at the top and the establishment of a new order in the tennis world.

There is no doubt the old building is showing the inevitable signs of cracking and new soldiers have moved in, willing and ready, to occupy the vacated space.

Roddick looks all muscles on the cover of Men’s Fitness.

Click here.

Roland Garros Qualifying draw.

Are there enough reasons to scan these draws, lately? Pick your poison.

Click here.

Anatomy of a tennis fan.

You freaking think you are the ultimate fan? Not so fast.

A true fan is not constantly kissing up to his/her idol. Oh, I can see your eyes widening in surprise!!!

Fans main mission is to ensure that, first of all, the integrity of the sport involved is always maintained. No one is bigger than the sport. They should openly chide the player concerned when that is breached. Even if, yes ‘even if’ any freaking thing.

Fan is also required to ensure their favorite player is able to reach and maintain the top spot in the world. This is not achieved just by taking the easy lane and becoming a biggest brown nose. It requires a good knowledge of the sport to offer constructive criticism when warranted.

Being openly upset and voicing those feelings to pressure the player to mend ways, is part of the deal, too. When the Los Angeles Lakers started losing because of poor effort, more than anything else, the city came together to openly air their frustration and demand better execution on the court. You think that got the attention of the team, coach and the management? You can bet your freaking, well, cat on it.

Most human beings want to be liked by their fellow souls. That drive has been used by many coaches in history to indirectly motivate their players. When Kwame Brown of the Lakers was fumbling every pass to him, the crowd started booing him every time he got the ball. You think that got his attention?

Kwame got so freaked out that he stopped demanding the ball, to avoid the humiliation. He started concentrating on other aspects of the game like setting picks, rebounding etc. It became obvious Kwame had a fragile psyche.

What did coach Jackson do? He arranged a contingent of people near the court to sing in chorus ‘Kwame, Kwame’ everytime Kwame got the ball. That built up his ego and restored his bruised psyche to where he is now considered one of the more respected centers in the game. His defense on Duncan, Garnett, Howard or even Shaq has been exemplary.

This is the guy who was considered washed up at Washington at age 22.

The freaking point is this: fans are a big part of player’s game. Players try to read and hear, everything written or said about them in the media. And it does affect their performance on the court.

You think Federer wasn’t aware of the cries to get a full time coach getting louder and louder after each of his losses?

So, you need to take off your freaking brown nose and be prepared to offer criticism publicly and fearlessly to voice your displeasure on anything that is out of line.

What do you think was the motivation Sampras used to win the last of his Grand Slams? If you are clueless, click here.

There appears to be one sure way to either be the darling of the fans or be booed or ridiculed.

It is the display of hustle, laying it all out on the court, the ‘never say die’ attitude, fighting to the last point, never giving up, bringing it every time the bell rings, digging out of holes with grit and determination, enthusiasm – is that good enough for you, freaks.

Jimmy Connors epitomizes that, probably more than any other player on the tennis court. Nadal is pretty close. What do you think frustrated the fans most about these losses from Federer? Not sure? Click here.

Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Mohammad Ali, Tiger Woods – can you even imagine anyone of them not ‘bringing it’ every time they stepped on the turf? In fact, their fire burnt with so much intensity that others around them had to match it, without choice to keep up. It is freaking contagious.

A true fan demands and expects it from the idol and is not hesitant to call him out on it publicly. What ensues is magic on the court, which benefits the fan, the player, the sport and the world at large in many subtle ways.

Their is no better way to bring the best out of a human being, irrespective of what endeavour is in question. The urge to be liked and appreciated is a powerful force that eclipses and demolishes most other impetuses, as a tool to rise above mediocrity.

Fans have an obligation to exercise it to the benefit of everyone involved and not be relegated to watching an uninspired, less than magical dance on the court.

It’s time for Djokovic to back his words.

Djokovic has been making a lot of noise this year, both on and off the court. It’s time for him to back his words and have a strong showing at the second Grand Slam of the year.

Most pundits agree that it is essentially a four-man race this year- Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray.

The points race so far:

Nadal - 535 
Federer – 461
Djokovic – 377
Gonzalez – 266
Roddick – 225
Murray – 214

Nadal has four titles this year, compared to three each for Federer and Djokovic. Murray has one.

Although Djokovic has one clay title at Estoril this year, he needs to have a semifinal or better showing at Roland Garros, to consolidate his gains on the red surface.

He has been pounding Nadal at his press conferences repeatedly. Nadal hasn’t taken the bait yet or maybe he has, and he is content in firing messages on the court like a straight set defeat at Rome 6-2, 6-3.

If you think Nadal is ‘beatable’, that straight set thumping at Rome, was a little off the mark. Nadal is a handful of players who have had a winning record against Federer since his sizzling rise, but he has never used such words.

Djokovic, step on the court and talk. You have already set yourself up with your big mouth and we are waiting for the translation on the court. Losing to Ferrer (Monte Carlo) and Moya (Hamburg) is not going to cut it, after tall claims.

Nadal had over 15 titles when he was your age. So show some respect and restrict your talking to actual display on the court.

With Murray out of the picture, Djokovic appears to be the only threat to either of the top players, even though he has yet to validate his credentials on clay.

His strong showing at Roland Garros will add another dimension to an already compelling story unfolding on the red surface. If he is on his game, he is a legitimate contender and will demand respect from both Federer and Nadal.

He needs to shine on the big stage to be taken seriously or else it could be another Roddick in the making. It is a big step from where he is, but unless it is taken, he will never be able to run with the big boys.

This will be his first Grand Slam where he is entering not as an underdog, but as a legitimate contender or should we say a spoiler. He has proven that much.

But the world is waiting for the performance at a stage with the brightest lights and the meanest souls.

Let see what you are made of, Djokovic.

Roland Garros draw – speculation.

Mens singles draw will be out on Friday the 25th. Seeds will also be announced the same day. Duh.

Based on the draws on Rome and Hamburg, here is what could be expected.

Likely notable adversaries in Federer’s half:

Guillermo Canas
Carlos Ferrero
Moya
Roddick
Ljubicic
Berdych
Ferrer
Baghdatis
Chela

Likely notable adversaries in Nadal’s half:

Davydenko
Youzhny
Djokovic
Blake
Gonzalez
Robredo
Gasquet
Hewitt

Actually I have an inside connection, so this is exactly how it is going to be. Any freaking bets?

Semifinal No. 1: Federer vs Canas.
Semifinal No. 2: Nadal vs Djokovic.

Come back to this on the 25th and get startled.

Lone male lion confronts four nomadic lions to fight.

Do not freaking watch it if you are sensitive or faint of heart. It may be too graphic for some.