Andy Murray is prepared to defend his Madrid Open title, but there are big questions to be answered on Spains clay courts. Sky Live: Madrid Open Live on Sky Sports until May 8 With world No 1 Novak Djokovic joining the field as the clear favourite, Murray will have his work cut-out. The competition will also include the clay master Rafael Nadal and a host of up-and-comers.Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan answered four key questions... Can Murray beat Nadal on clay? Andy Murray (right) beat Rafa Nadal in last years Madrid final Barry said: Nadal to win. But Andy has an advantage by playing Rafa in Madrid. Rafa has won the title here before, but he would prefer to play clay court matches in Barcelona, Monte Carlo or Roma. Its because of the altitude. I remember a Davis Cup semi-final played in Madrid against the United States, Nadal was very vocal that he didnt want it played there. The game becomes quicker, the ball moves quicker, and you have less time. The big servers come into play. Murrays route to the final Possible future foes for British No 1 At this present stage with the way that Rafa is playing, only Djokovic is better.All the top guys are as comfortable on any of the surfaces. Andy has become very comfortable at moving on clay, when previously he was better on hard courts.He beat Rafa last year, but Rafa was poor. It will be harder this year because Djokovic is playing and Nadal is playing much better.Are Murray and Nadal poised for a successful clay campaign? Rafael Nadal beat Kei Nishikori to claim the Barcelona Open title Barry said: The way Andy played in Monte Carlo suggests he will have a great few weeks. This part of the year is easier for him than Indian Wells and Miami because hes looking forward to the French Open. He is a master of peaking. You only have to look at his Grand Slam record - he knows how to peak for the big events.I didnt really waiver on Nadal last year but I did this February - he played two tournaments in South America which were a real concern. He had worked so hard to push on this year, but it felt like he was putting himself under too much pressure. He had a lack of belief. He needed to back up his talent in Barcelona, and he certainly did.Its relentless now, the top guys will basically play all the way through from Madrid until the US Open with very little time off. Are Federers recurring injuries a concern? Roger Federer cant turn his back on recent injuries Barry said: The worry is that, once you reach his age, are your little niggles just covering for other injuries? Thats three already hes had this year, two injuries and an illness.As well as taking a toll on his body, it also means hes lacking in matches so he slips further and further behind the other guys who are playing more tennis. Federer withdraws Swiss great out of Madrid Open If you look at the glass half-full, its better to have an injury now than after June. Realistically in the last three or four years, his chances of winning the Australian Open or French Open are going because of the nature of the surfaces. The chances of winning Wimbledon and the US Open are a lot greater. Can Del Potro recapture past glory? Its seven years since Juan Martin Del Potro won the US Open Barry said: From what I saw at Indian Wells and Miami, hes a long way off. For Del Potro, its about playing and getting back onto the court. That wrist injury means he still hits far too many sliced backhands.Hes not going to be able to beat the big guys yet. But is that permanent? I can only judge through what I see during matches, and he cant hit over his backhand. Hes basically going into battle with two out of three weapons.He wont beat a top 10 player with only two weapons working. 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At stake in this years programme, the second of its kind, are 40 spots for the best prospects at a three-day national camp next month. From there, the top 24 players will be eligible for scholarships and training at the NBA Academy India, scheduled to begin operations next April.The event was a novel experience for Rohan Singh Dhillon (15), though his association with the game is old. I lived in Boston. I started playing from when I was around six or seven years old, says Dhillon who, at six-foot-five, idolises Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, who were skinny like him. I swam, played basketball and tennis growing up. I realised I wanted to play basketball because it really uses your height and its a more strategic game.ACG NBAJUMP Delhi 1000 players Working on Dreams https://t.co/u8wqyPvoNO- Carlos Barroca (@cbarroca61) 16 December 2016Dhillon fondly remembers having watched some of the games of the 2008 finals at TD Garden in Boston, when the Boston Celtics beat the LA Lakers. My first dream would be to get into the NBA and then become a really good player there, said Dhillon. I have been following the progress of Palpreet Singh Brar [who made it to the cusp of the NBAs Development league last month], since he looks like he could become a good player in the NBA. Hes extremely strong, tall and I think he will be able to dominate the post.Aryak Chauhan (16) started playing this year but already believes his game has improved enough for him to merit selection. The Golden State Warriors fan thinks that parents need to be more supportive of youngsters wanting to pursue the game. We have everything - the talent, good coaches and a good support system. But then parents think that you cant make a career out of playing this sport. That perception must change, says Chauhan.All the participants were divided into teams on the basiis of age, height and weight, and made to play eight-minute matches with names of NBA teams.dddddddddddd Utkarsh and Sanchit, both of whom have played at the zonal and district level, found themselves playing as forward and point guard for the Utah Jazz. Utkarsh, a Stephen Curry fan, finds juggling between sports and studies difficult, considering he has taken up science for his school finals. While he says an option of playing in the US might be a tempting one, he would take admission at the Indian Institute of Technology if given a choice. Sanchit, however, would choose sports. Always.A majority of the boys have come from well-to-do families and with the increased exposure to the NBA and its marquee names, attraction for the sport was a natural thing. Shubham, 13 comes from Jind in Haryana nearby and didnt know much about the game until he saw his elder brother Sandeep play. His introduction to the NBA happened through following Miami Heat, and becoming a fan of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Chris Andersen.Its the second year, and everything we do after some experience becomes a new phase. I dont have the final numbers today, but I believe that we have exceeded 1,000 kids today. Considering that we are in India, making these kinds of things happen is really amazing, said Carlos Barroca, associate vice president of NBA Indias basketball operations.One of the things that is obvious is the growth of the motivation towards the game. There are more people playing the game, and more people with a commitment towards the game, said Barroca, when asked about how he has seen the game grow in the last few years. If theres success at the international competitions, it is good news. And good news always attracts people to the sport. So its not just us, it is everybody working together and their contribution towards making the game more attractive.And what attributes would the kids need to have to become the next Palpreet Singh? We are looking for size, athleticism and skills, says Barroca. Being an athlete is probably the most important thing, and the size is not the most decisive thing. Short or tall, basketball is a game for all. China Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China China NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Online Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo Jerseys From China ' ' '