Washington, Feb 2: Olympic golden boy Michael Phelps has apologised for photos showing him using a bong, an implement used to smoke cannabis.

The pics published in Britain''s News of the World were taken in November at a University of South Carolina house party.

"I engaged in behaviour which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment," Usmagazine. com quoted Phelps as saying.

"I''m 23 years old and despite the successes I''ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me.

Melbourne  - Even if he never wins another Grand Slam, Rafael Nadal will still be counting the blessings of a world-beating career.

"I have six right now, and I'm happy with my six," the Spanish superman said after his five-set triumph over Roger Federer, which lasted into early Monday morning. "I'm going to continue trying my best and improving my tennis."

That cannot be welcome news for Federer, whose emotions overcame him on the trophy stand after losing for the 13th time in 19 matches against Nadal.

Rybinsk, Russia  - Freezing temperatures forced organizers to cancel two World Cup cross-country ski races in the Russian venue of Rybinsk on Sunday.

Sydney, Feb 1: Skipper Ricky Ponting believes that Australian selectors should stick with experience as two strenuous tours of South Africa and England are in the offing over six months.

Ponting said he would be advising the team's selection panel that the exhausting schedule would better suit accomplished players such as Phil Jaques.

"I'm not sure if it's a time for us right now in Test cricket to really go all out looking for youth," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying.

London, Feb 1 : Olympic hero Michael Phelps is back in news, but this time, it's all for the wrong reasons - the swimmer has been snapped using a bong, an implement used to smoke cannabis.

British tabloid, News of the World, has posted a picture Saturday evening which they claim is 14-time Olympic Gold medallist Phelps taking a bong hit at a college in South Carolina.

Melbourne  - The Australian Open won't be going anywhere, with it's traditional January date set in stone by tournament boss Craig Tiley.

"It works best for us, for Australia in January. It's over school holidays, kids and families can come. It's the only time where there's no major global event that's being broadcast," he told local media on the eve of the classic final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.