The Stars Show Up for the Australian Tennis Open in 2008

The Australian summer tennis series is upon us onceaction. The best ticket during the grand slam is the
again. For most players the Australian Open is one of"Grounds Pass" for the first week where you can get
the toughest tournaments of the year due to severalcourtside and watch some of the great matches on
factors.the outside courts. It is during the second week that
First of all many players use the last month of themost of the outside matches consist of the juniors,
year to take a break from the tour and their hecticmixed doubles and veterans' matches.
travel schedules. As a result many players struggleRoger Federer's chance of winning all four grand slam
physically to cope after this extensive layoff. To addtennis titles starts here in Australia. His preparation was
to the drama most players are coming out of the coldsuppose to start at the Kooyong Classic but he was a
winter conditions of Europe and the USA and straightlate withdrawal due to illness. Federer would have had
into extremely hot weather conditions of the Aussiesome valuable match play against his fellow top
Open.players such as Andy Roddick, Fernando Gonzalez,
The Australian Open is notorious for players having toDavid Nalbandian, Tommy Haas, Andy Murray, Ivan
forfeit matches due to heat exhaustion. As a resultLjubicic and the crowd favourite Marat Safin. The
there is a great opportunity for those players whoKooyong Classic will be the first opportunity for many
may be inferior when it comes to talent but possessof the players to test out the new surface of
superior fitness levels.Plexi-cushion which has replaced the controversial
The Australian open has undergone some majorrebound ace.
changes but none more so that the new surface thatThe Australian Open always produces some great
has been laid down. The green colour of the reboundmatches and we look forward to another great
ace courts have been replaced by the bluetournament this year. Of course it is Federer's
Plexi-cushion surface. Only time will tell as to thetournament to win but there will be some players trying
playability of the new surface. So far in the lead upto knock him off. Some of the players to watch out
tournaments in the Hopman Cup and also in Adelaidefor include Roddick, Murray, Hewitt and Gonazalez.
the feedback has been positive from the players.On the women's side Justine Henin is coming off
From the men's draw the favourite is of course Rogeranother top year but will definitely face some tough
Federer who has proven to be a class above thecompetition from the William's sisters, Maria Sharapova
other players especially in the Grand Slamand the veteran Lindsay Davenport. With hot
tournaments. He should follow up again with anotherconditions predicted it will be interesting to see if
win after his emotional victory last year.Sharapova experiences the same heat exhaustion
A record number of tennis fans will once again flock tothat she succumbed to last year. Davenports'
Melbourne Park to brave the extremely hot weatherexperience will get her through to the later stages of
conditions. Tennis Australia has already stated thatthe tournament but fitness may be questioned when it
they will not tolerate any of the fan misbehaviour ascomes to being able to win seven matches in a row.
was seen last year. There were violent clashesOverall the Australian Open brings in record crowds
between various groups last year including theand provides for some great entertainment not only to
Serbians and Croatians. There will be a strong policethe die hard tennis fans but also those who enjoy the
presence throughout the tennis complex to preventsocial experiences that are found at the open. Live
this from happening again.music, great food and plenty of entertainment always
When it comes to tickets the night sessions are stillattracts a diverse group of spectators.
very popular and always showcase the top players in