The big personal news is my success at this year's USPTA Championships at La Quinta, California,where I won the title of International Champion for the third time despite the brutal heat of Palm Springs in mid-September. From there I went to Spain to see the Davis Cup meet between USA v. Spain. I saw Rafael Nadal live for the first time in the unique venue of the bullring  "Las Ventas". In this case, Rafa was the Matador and the Americans were bulls who had to be slaughtered for the pleasure of the afternoon crowd.

The loss of Nadal at the French Open this year has meant the chance that Federer  needed and was waiting for. Confirming what we all knew only too well: Only Nadal can stop the Federer Express. Let us hope his knees are healthy for the US Open.