Australian Open 2005

[Saskia]

Most lower seats in Rod Laver aren't even on sale. They are given to the employees of Australian Open and Tennis Australia. SO it's now onder they sell out in no time.

[mara]

lucky u!!!!!!

Jen said:

Well, I know it's probably a bit early to start a thread for the Aussie Open 2005, but I just couldn't contain my excitement because......

I'M GOING!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Bought my tickets today, I'm soooo excited!! (Can you tell?) I always thought I'd only get to watch it on TV, but now that I live in Korea the trip became possible!

u're sooooooooo lucky! ;D

[Jane]

I too have never been to a grand slam before. I bet the atmosphere must be very exhilarating, especially the matches in the center court. But somehow I got a feeling that smaller tournaments might be a bit more intimate. But I would really love to participate in a grand slam. Must be a great experience.

How well do you think Marat would do in AO 2005? Well, I think we all hope that he would do better than last year

[SAFINNO1]

i am not being biased but i would have to say you can not beat the crowd and atmosphere at wimbledon, especially if henman is playing on centre court with all his fans on henman hill it is truly unbelievable.

But mind you i would swap a wimbled on ticket for a AO ticket as i am sure i would get to see marat more than i want to

[christina]

SAFINNO1 said:

i am not being biased but i would have to say you can not beat the crowd and atmosphere at wimbledon, especially if henman is playing on centre court with all his fans on henman hill it is truly unbelievable.

But mind you i would swap a wimbled on ticket for a AO ticket as i am sure i would get to see marat more than i want to

the atmosphere at wimbledon is amazing......centre court on peoples sunday this year was like WOW but i think i could say that the atmosphere at the DC final today was even more amazing ;D

[SAFINNO1]

christina said:

the atmosphere at wimbledon is amazing......centre court on peoples sunday this year was like WOW but i think i could say that the atmosphere at the DC final today was even more amazing ;D

True it was amazing in ARod admitted it.

it would be cool to see what the atmosphere would be like if henman was in the final against Roddick, federer or even rusedski

BTW do u always go to wimbledon.

[christina]

SAFINNO1 said:

True it was amazing in ARod admitted it.

it would be cool to see what the atmosphere would be like if henman was in the final against Roddick, federer or even rusedski

BTW do u always go to wimbledon.

iv only been the last 2 years, but im hoping to make it a regular thing, although this year it depends on wen my GCSE's are and finish, sadly

[SAFINNO1]

oh so you are in year 11.
i may miss this year as i will have to partake in Work Experience, but i am trying to find work at wimbledon.

[ivy]

christina said:

the atmosphere at wimbledon is amazing......centre court on peoples sunday this year was like WOW but i think i could say that the atmosphere at the DC final today was even more amazing ;D

Tru dat. I'd like to see the Spanish team vs. Henman. That'd be like a Euro football match.

[christina]

SAFINNO1 said:

oh so you are in year 11.
i may miss this year as i will have to partake in Work Experience, but i am trying to find work at wimbledon.

could be hard to get it just as "work experience"....i ended up in sainsbury's doing management

Tru dat. I'd like to see the Spanish team vs. Henman. That'd be like a Euro football match.

yep indeedy...altho at wimbledon on peoples sunday we didnt need tim there to have a ball....even during the fed match there was a party atmosphere....and even on the completely rained off day the day before, the crazy aussies on court 18....if that match had come on, that would have been HILARIOUS ;D ;D


and guys we've gone wildly off topic...i know its hard when its still over a month til the tourney...but ;D ;D australian open ;D

[ivy]

christina said:

and guys we've gone wildly off topic...i know its hard when its still over a month til the tourney...but ;D ;D australian open ;D

I am somewhat on topic as my siggie is a countdown for the Aussie Open!

[Teresa]

Clijsters to stay home
By Leo Schlink
December 9, 2004

THERE will be no awkward Kim Clijsters moments for Lleyton Hewitt at next month's centenary Australian Open after the Belgian former world No. 1 opted not to enter the tournament.

Clijsters' season has been devastated by a chronic wrist injury and, after consultation with doctors and physiotherapists, she joined former Australian Jelena Dokic in bypassing the January 17-30 championship.

Clijsters and Hewitt called off their engagement in October. The high-profile pair would have contested events in Sydney and Melbourne had Clijsters been fit.

But Open chief executive Paul McNamee, delighted at the quality of both the men's and women's fields, had suspected Clijsters and Dokic might be unavailable.

"Kim's wrist obviously isn't going to be rehabilitated in time for the the first grand slam of the new season," McNamee said.

"We wish her all the best at what must be a difficult time and hope to see her fit and back playing on the tour again in 2005."

Dokic has not played the Australian Open since 2001, when she lost in the first round after her father, Damir, accused officials of rigging the draw. She renounced her Australian citizenship soon after.

In any event, Dokic would have required a wildcard to contest the 2005 championships because her ranking has crumbled from 15th at the end of last season to 127th.

Apart from Brazil's triple French Open winner Gustavo Kuerten (hip operation), most leading players will travel to Melbourne Park.

The impressive depth of the field, however, carries worrying connotations for Australian tennis -- and leaves Mark Philippoussis the ninth player in line outside direct entry to the main draw.

The men's cut-off is 102. Philippoussis is ranked 109th, but he has already been guaranteed a wildcard.

However, Open officials would prefer to have Philippoussis contesting the event on his own merits and use the card elsewhere.

Three Australian women are direct entrants - No. 13 Alicia Molik, Sam Stosur and Nicole Pratt - while rejuvenated Evie Dominikovic has won a wildcard for strong performances on the Uncle Toby's Futures circuit.

Three Australian men earned entry on their rankings, led by world No. 3 Lleyton Hewitt, Draper and Wayne Arthurs, who is the last direct entrant at this stage at 102nd.

Defending champions Justine Henin-Hardenne and Roger Federer have entered along with fellow grand slam stars Maria Sharapova, Anastasia Myskina, Svetlana Kuznetsova, four-time winner Andre Agassi, Marat Safin and Andy Roddick.

Clijsters hinted on Monday she would not venture to Australia this summer.

"My wrist still calls for a lot of attention and care, and I can use my time to spend it well,"' Clijsters said.

"My wrist still is a crucial part of my everyday life - loads of physio and recovery exercises."

Clijsters was able to contest only one major this year - the Australian Open, where she reached the final.

Her season has been ruined by the wrist injury, restricting her to just 22 matches - 20 of which were wins.

The Daily Telegraph

[SAFINNO1]

It is a true shame Kim will be missing the AO as i really like her as a tennis player and would love to see her competing again wtih Henin and the russians

[kasey]

Safinno i agree...shame bout kim, i havent seen her play live yet
Jen u lucky thing!! and everyone else going!! hehe ill be there too-bout tiks....if u just want a ground pass u can get them on the day, but for rod laver id pre-book now, or ull get dodgy seats..

[Jen]

Hey guys, I need some advice from anyone who has been to Melbourne before. I need to find a cheap motel to stay in when I go to Melbourne for AO, but I don't know how to find one. Can anyone recommend a cheap motel or tell me a website where I can search for one? Thanks for your help!! ;D ;D ;D