Novak Djokovic: Madrid Open Must Change Blue Courts to Please Top Tennis Players

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have been the most vocal about their disapproval of the blue clay surface at the 2012 Madrid Open, and if the tournament doesn't change back to the red clay going forward, it will be very sorry. 

According to The Telegraph, both Djokovic and Nadal—two of the top tennis players in the world—are threatening to boycott the tournament next year if the changes aren't made.

It's one thing to be upset about the change in color, but these star players are more concerned about their health.

"They are claiming that the court is exactly the same as red clay, which is not true because there is a big difference," Djokovic said. "You are tripping, slipping all the time, sliding. The winner will be the one who doesn't get hurt by the end of the week." 

Tournament officials argue that the color change helps viewers at home to see the ball better, but honestly, the Madrid Open needs to cater to the players and not those watching on TV. 

Djokovic will likely keep winning and go on to win the whole tournament. He's on fire right now, and it's tough to see anyone slowing him down, especially with Nadal having been upset already. 

If Djokovic and Nadal don't play in next year's Madrid Open, the tournament will lose its appeal to viewers, which is something they cannot let happen. 

With the ATP World Tour already being a pretty long season, it's easy to buy into Djokovic and Nadal's threats. 

It's a good tournament, and excellent preparation for the French Open. However, if the players aren't happy with the surface of the courts, it makes perfect sense they wouldn't want to play there. 

After all, this is about their safety and health. Tennis is a grueling sport that puts a lot of wear and tear on those at the professional level, since they are playing so much.

They could use a break every now and then, and it wouldn't be a big shocker to see these guys skip out on the tournament next year. 

Hopefully, the organizers of the Madrid Open wise up and make the changes to please the players. Keeping the players healthy is a must. TV viewers will simply have to focus harder to find the ball, which isn't that big of a deal anyway. 

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Phil Taylor's Injury Is a Setback the Cleveland Browns Can Handle

It seems that year after year, the Cleveland Browns just can't catch a break. From injuries to personnel issues, it seems as though the Browns take two steps backward for every one forward, often through no fault of their own.

The latest small crisis hit the team yesterday, when starting second-year defensive tackle Phil Taylor tore his pectoral muscle. Taylor will have surgery next week and will be out no less than four-to-six months and perhaps the entire 2012 season.

It's not as though the Browns cannot solve this problem—they can rotate in two of their recent draft picks, John Hughes and Billy Winn at the position and it's possible that Taylor will return mid-season. But in an offseason that is equally imbued with as much optimism as it is paranoia that 2012 will be more of the same, Taylor's injury easily touches some already-frayed nerves.

The frustrating thing about football is that so much controlled by humans is still completely subject to arbitrary moments that cannot be completely planned for or reined in. These setbacks continually put the Browns in the situation of having a make-or-break season year after year, and progress seems incremental at best.

At the risk of contributing to the rhetoric—this truly is a make-or-break season for Cleveland. They've been on a long-term rebuilding process since 2010, and in 2012, the Browns have taken an aggressive stance toward making improvements in the past weeks. 

It would be a gamble whether the Browns started QBs Brandon Weeden or Colt McCoy
Brett Deering/Getty Images

They're primed to move on from starting quarterback Colt McCoy, replacing him with the newly-drafted Brandon Weeden. They selected the top running back in the draft, Trent Richardson. They added players to boost their struggling run defense.

If this latest push to build a competitive roster falls flat, it's likely to lead to another series of rebuilding seasons—it just doesn't seem like Head Coach Pat Shurmur, General Manager Tom Heckert and team President Mike Holmgren will all three survive the attrition that would result from another failed season.

So there's clearly reason for Browns fans to be holding their breath in guarded optimism about the approaching NFL season. There's quite a bit more going for the team than against it, but it's early, and anything can happen, as the Taylor injury demonstrates.

But for every cloud, there is a silver lining. Taylor is hurt, yes, but the two rookies are already working to fill his role at minicamp this weekend. At the same camp, Weeden is looking like the first-round talent the Browns hoped he'd be. 

If the Browns can handle every step backward by brushing it off and moving forward, it may not be enough to end the season above .500—but that's the only way they can be assured that they don't get mired in these disappointments.

There are bad football teams, and there are bad circumstances, and sometimes the Browns have dealt with being handed both at the same time. Right now, the Browns have encountered another bad circumstance, but they aren't a bad football team—at least, at this early point, they don't seem like one—so while a setback like Taylor's injury is never welcomed, they have the tools to overcome it.

As long as more injuries to key players don't befall them in the coming months, they'll enter the season in a better position than they have in years. 

Follow @FBALL_Andrea

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Usain Bolt: Jamaican Sprinter Splits with Lubica Slovak Ahead of London Olympics

Before Usain Bolt collects a bounty of gold in London, he is showing the Heisman to his wonderful girlfriend Lubica Slovak. 

I'm sure there were about three of you out there who were really pulling for this couple, but they are now splitsville. The reason?

Those damn Olympics. 

While I am sure the impending London Games are hardly interfering with your daily lives, they have certainly been a nuisance for Bolt and his now ex-girlfriend. 

The New York Post reports the worst news since Rachel and Ross almost got together, but didn't, because Ross didn't read the note and...

Anyway. 

The champion sprint star ended his relationship with gorgeous fashion designer Lubica Slovak so she won't "distract" him from training.

Harsh. I mean, this is the same reason you send your dog out of the room for—he keeps stepping over the cords as you try to camp out in Call of Duty. 

I understand how having a girlfriend can weigh on the mind in this case, though. Consider the report states Bolt was taken to task by fans recently for having a white girlfriend. 

Photo Credit: Platinum Kids Sound

When a picture of the two kissing surfaced, he received a great deal of flack. From there, we can finally see what's really behind this part of the report. 

They were said to be "very comfortable together" and to favor quiet dinners over glitzy functions. 

I can just imagine how he might have answered her constant asking of, "Honey, can we go to the movies, the party or anywhere?"

Bolt would just sit back and mutter, "Nah, I'm good." 

At least, that's how I see it. 

Consider the Olympics as the best excuse to break up with someone that you have been wanting to break up with for months. 

I'm not saying, but I am saying. 

Sure, this could all be a grand ruse to buy Bolt the sentiment of his fans who apparently don't like him dating Slovak, but I am a glass-is-half-empty kind of guy. 

These two are as done as Jennifer Aniston and her next future ex-boyfriend.

Follow me on Twitter to get the latest on all things awesome.  

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WWE: Dolph Ziggler with Kharma as a Bodyguard

Dolph Ziggler is like a bull pacing in the pen just waiting for the gate to open.

I've heard a lot of people try to compare different stars to Shawn Michaels. I heard it a lot with John Morrison, that he was a young Shawn Michaels. I usually disagree with all the comparisons, but I do feel that Ziggler comparisons to a mid 90s Shawn Michaels are among the most accurate.

He has personality. He can back it up in the ring, and he knows it. So give Ziggler a bodyguard. Give him Kharma.

It's a great heel move to need muscle to follow you everywhere. And it works better when the person being protected doesn't need it.

When The Brian Kendrick had Ezekial Jackson as a bodyguard, nobody cared. The big, bad bodyguard can only aid their inadequate client so many times before it gets old. When the protected is talented enough as is, but still wants a protector, the formula works better. This worked for Shawn Michaels when he had Diesel or Sid, and it worked for Triple H when he had Chyna. They didn't need a bodyguard, but it made them that much easier to hate and that much more dangerous.

Kharma is a fascinating situation. She has been under WWE contract for over a year, but we have only seen her a hand full of times on WWE television, and she is so over. Kharma versus Beth Phoenix is the biggest money match in the divas division future. But what do you do after that? How many times can she run over the other divas who clearly aren't a threat to her. Don't try and sell them as such.  

Kharma's time competing against the divas needs to be limited or just a part of her gimmick. She needs to be involved in storylines with the male superstars. Having her walk in the shadows behind the self-proclaimed show-off would fit.

Vickie Guerrero worked to bring more heat on to Ziggler as he was rising up the card. Kharma stands out in her own right and would the appropriate level of attraction in walking behind a main event-level Dolph Ziggler.

Follow @JustinLaBar

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EFAF General Assembly 2012: Hotel reservation instruction mailed to all members ()

Dear EFAF Member Federations,

please note that EFAF Office has send out the hotel reservation instructions to all members on today. If you have not recieved the file please approach directly EFAF office at office@efaf.de.

EFAF Annual General Assembly
Berlin

Schedule of events (tbc):

Friday, March 30, 2011

17.00 h EFAF Board of Directors meeting (invitation only)

Saturday, March 31, 2012

11.00 h EFAF General Assembly

17.00 h End of General Assembly

20.00 h EFAF Banquet hosted by EFAF and AFVD

Best regards

Robert Huber
President

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EFAF Coaching Development Program at Turkey (EFAF)

EFAF Coaching Development Program was conducted by EFAF in Turkey, by the ivitation of Turkish AmericanFootball Federation. EFAF Coaching Development program was represented by Coach Paul Vincent Miraval and Coach Giorgio Longhi, Turkish Federation was represented by Coach Oktay Cavus head coach of the Turkish senior National team. Coaches Miraval and Longhi stayed in Harem Hotel, in Istanbul and Angora Hotel, in Ankara.

Level 1 Clinic, in Istanbul, was held in Ministry of Sports Istanbul Branch Office building (Gençlik ve Spor Il Müdürlügü) Turkish Active Soccer Referees and Observers Association Seminar Room. Facility was well prepared before our arrival and the Ministry of Sports Istanbul Branch Office Manager and American Football Branch Representative were very helpful during the Clinic.

Level 2 Clinic was held in Gazi University, Ankara. Gazi University is also known for their strong American Football program in Turkey. They were named as Division 1 Champions in Clubs League last year and were named as Division 1 champions in College League 2 years ago. The Vice President of Turkish American Federation, Mr. Mehmet Güçlü is also one of the Professors in Gazi University and was the promoter of the Coaching Clinic in Ankara.

More than 40 Turkish Coaches were certified after the EFAF Coaches Development Program Clinic and had an opportunity to share valuable videos, information and material brought by Coach Miraval and Coach Longhi.

"Also we, as Turkish Coaches, had an opportunity to share information and use Coach Miraval and Coach Longhi’s experience outside the Clinic hours. They were available and helpful even in their spare times and very dedicated to help the Turkish football coaches".

"I personally have been conducting Player and Coaching Clinics in Turkey since 2001, with American High School and College Coaches. Being an AFCA Member since 2009 I also had a chance to attend many High-School and College Clinics and a few NFL Camps in America. The football conditions; programs, budgets, equipments, fields, etc… in America are very different than Turkey. So, with my humble opinion, I firmly believe that European Coaches understand us better and are very experienced in overcoming the difficulties we are facing today.

I’m looking forward to have an ongoing program with EFAF and I want to thank to Coach Paul Vincent Miraval and Coach Giorgio Longhi for their contributions to American Football in Turkey " said coach Cavus.

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EFAF OFFICIALS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: Executive Summary (EFAF)

PURPOSE

EFAF is developing officiating ability in Europe by providing officiating clinic to its members.
EFAF has two levels of clinics 1 and 2 for beginners and more advanced countries.

SPEAKERS

To be decided

AGENDA

It is an officiating clinic weekend; here is an example of schedule and contents:

Saturday

11H00 Presentation
12H00 Rules Application/Philosophies
13H15 General Principles
11H00 Passing plays 7-man crew
14H30 Axioms of Officiating
15H00 Lunch Break
16H00 Kick plays 5-man crew
17H00 Running plays 5-man crew
18H00 Passing plays 5-man crew
19H00 Other situations 5-man crew
20H00 End

Sunday
09H00 Kick plays 7-man crew
10H00 Running plays 7-man crew
12H00 Other situations 7-man crew
13H00 END

CONDITIONS

EFAF provides two speakers and the plane tickets for the speakers, contents

Local federation provides:
Lodging, food and local transportation for the speakers
General organisation such as Classroom, video projector, coffee breaks, etc.
Football field and equipments

APPLICATION

EFAF member federations can apply to Paul Vincent Miraval EFAF Technical Director
Email: p.miraval@efaf.info

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