Rome - Rafael Nadal waited out steady rain Tuesday at the Rome Masters along with the rest of the field, his thoughts filled with fears that events on his clay-court surface of choice are in decline. "Every year for last years we have less tournaments on clay," said the top seed who lifted a fifth title at the weekend in Barcelona.

Munich - Veteran coach Jupp Heynckes was set to take over at Bayern Munich on Tuesday in a caretaker role after the sacking of Juergen Klinsmann. Heynckes, 63, will be in charge of his first training session after a formal presentation at the club's grounds in Munich.

Former German international Heynckes, who was Bayern coach between 1987 and 1991, is in charge for just four weeks - the last five games of the season.

Melbourne, Apr. 28 : Ex-Olympian swimmer Ian Thorpe''s contract with Foxtel is finished and will not be renewed.

According to insiders, Thorpe's lucrative million-dollar television contract was terminated as he had lost interest in his once-promising media career.

Media sources yesterday claimed Thorpe had in recent times become a reluctant participant in the Foxtel relationship as he focuses increasingly on his university study and the years lost to schooling while in the pool.

London, Apr. 28 : Barcelona is capable of destroying Chelsea, former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry insists.

According to the Daily Star, Henry will be joined by Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi in Barca's Holy Trinity against Chelsea tonight and are huge favourites to beat the Premier League side.

Henry insists Messi is capable of twisting the Chelsea defence round.

Stuttgart - The pink birthday cake came at the right time as Dinara Safina likes to award herself with some unhealthy food for good things she has achieved.

Turning 23 on Monday, the Russian said that "I like to give something to myself" and to "celebrate every time when the opportunity is there."

The birthday was one occasion, but Safina is also playing her first tennis tournament this week at the Porsche Grand Prix since taking the world number one ranking right days ago.

Madrid - Struggling Spanish Liga club Getafe said Monday it had dismissed coach Victor Munoz.

The final nail in Victor's coffin was Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Villarreal, a result which leaves Getafe fourth from bottom and in big trouble.

Victor, a Spanish international midfielder in the 1980s, is the 10th Liga coach to be sacked this season.