Tennis stars check out the new plexicushion surfaceTHE tennis elite rolled into Melbourne yesterday for their first look at the Australian Open's new plexicushion surface.
World No. 1 Roger Federer arrived on Friday and was first to have a hit on Rod Laver Arena.
Federer said he was feeling fresh and excited about defending his grand slam title. He is without former coach Tony Roche, who has teamed with Lleyton Hewitt.
"I've had time off, like normal, and I'm back and really enjoying it," Federer said.
"I look at it more like a great opportunity to come here.
"I've organised my practice sessions and I'm happy with the way things are going."
Others to test out the surface were women's champion Serena Williams, last year's finalist Fernando Gonzalez and Russian Marat Safin.
Before leaving Perth after winning the Hopman Cup, a trim and taut Williams told of her readiness to defend her title.
But she said she would enter the tournament as just another tennis player, even though she become only the second unseeded woman to win the title.
"I'm excited, I'm going in not as the defending champion, but just as a player wanting to win," the world No. 7 said.
"That's how I always see it.
"I had two really good matches (in Perth) and I had some great doubles matches.
"So seeing that I've played doubles and singles in Australia I feel like I'm really fit, really match fit and ready.
"It definitely pays when I fly out here earlier. I've 10 days or so before the tournament starts, nine days, so I'll be ready."
Federer, Safin and Gonzalez will play at Kooyong this week along with Andy Roddick, David Nalbandian, Ivan Ljubicic, Tommy Haas and Andy Murray.
Australian No. 1 Hewitt is in Sydney for this week's Sydney International after his shock defeat in Adelaide.
West Australian teenager Jessica Moore and New South Wales pair Sophie Ferguson and Monique Adamczak have been awarded wildcards into the Australian Open's main draw.
"Jess is one our top young players who is completing the transition from junior to senior ranks and is showing she well and truly belongs in elite company," tournament director Craig Tiley said.
"I am very confident this wildcard is a wise investment, as are the other two. Both Sophie and Monique have posted career-best rankings in 2007.
"They are all very worthy recipients of wildcards. I look forward to their efforts in the Australian Open."
www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23012020-11088,00.html
Anything above freezing at this time of year in Scotland is a heatwave. July ain't much better.
