Australian Open Grand Slam kicks off today at Rod Laver Arena with tennis giants Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic featuring in Round 1 day matches today.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic is bidding to equal Roy Emerson’s record of 6 Australian Open titles.
“I won it 5 times and every time I go back to Rod Laver Arena these memories come back to me from the first win back in 2008 and of course some of the epic matches I’ve played on that court”
Lleyton Hewitt’s 2002 Wimbledon title marks the last time an Australian man lifted a Grand Slam trophy.
It’s the Adelaide native’s 20th and last appearance in Melbourne.
“Yeah, I go in thinking I can be competitive with these guys, absolutely. I’m hitting well enough to push a lot of guys out there. You know, hopefully the body holds up”.
World number 3 Roger Federer said Hewitt made him a better player and acknowledged the Aussie’s place amongst the greatest of his generation.
“I’ve always admired his work ethic, his on court – you know – fighting spirit, even though sometimes he annoyed me because at the beginning he was more crazy than now”.
The Swiss Maestro is playing his 67th Grand Slam, having won a record 17 titles.
18 year old Melbourne native Omar Jasika will mark his debut in a major event thanks to a wild card.
The former US Open junior champion is looking forward to playing in from of a home crowd.
“Yes, it’s my first Grand Slam, I mean… all my friends are coming out and my family, so should be good. I’m playing at home so, I mean, nothing it’s really stopping me, you know”.
Women in action today include Czech Lucie Hradecka, Australia’s recent Hopman Cup hero Daria Gavrilova , Italy’s Sara Errani and China’s Yafan Wang. Men in action today include Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky, USA’s Austin Krajicek, Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic and Dutchman Robin Haase.
Play starts at 11am with Thailand’s Luksika Kumkhum up against Czech Republic’s Number 6 seed Petra Kvitova.
