RECORDS LINED UP FOR BIG STARS
The tennis year gets in full swing from tomorrow as the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the calendar, kicks off. There was already a shock before the start of the event as Andy Murray announced that the showpiece at Melbourne Park could be his last. That put a damper on proceedings but with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer both chasing a record seventh title, they may take over headlines soon enough. The former is the bookmakers' favourite, an stance backed by even his Swiss rival. Another big talking point is the return of Serena Williams, who is chasing Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slams in her first Grand Slam since giving birth. Here, we look at the six big contenders among the men and women.
'THE HAPPY SLAM'
Ahead of his bid for a record-breaking seventh title at Melbourne Park, Novak Djokovic lauded the fans at the Australian Open.
"I've had lots of success in Australia in the past," said Djokovic. "I think it's also due to that support that I get from the Serbian community, but also people internationally that come to support all the tennis players during the next couple of weeks... They call it the Happy Slam for a reason," Djokovic said.
"The Australian Open has been, historically, my most successful Grand Slam," said Djokovic. "Back in 2008, it was my first [Grand Slam] trophy that I won... That obviously served as a great springboard for my career. It opened a lot of doors for me. It allowed me to believe in myself that I can actually win the biggest tournaments in the world and challenge the best players in the world."
FEDERER CONFIDENT
Roger Federer says he is in a confident mood and warned his rivals he is "playing good tennis" as he aims for a third successive Australian Open title.
The Swiss enjoyed a successful Hopman Cup warm-up and knows that at even the age of 37 he has a great chance of a record seventh Melbourne crown and 21st major victory.
"I'm playing good tennis. I'm confident that I think it needs a good performance by my opponent probably to beat me," said the third seed.
"What I can say is the off-season was great for me. I think maybe it showed a little bit at the Hopman Cup already. Again, look, I'm playing tomorrow. We'll see how it's going to be here in Melbourne."
"Look, I'm playing good tennis. I'm confident that I think it needs a good performance by my opponent probably to beat me. That's always a good thought."
'I'M FEELING GOOD'
Rafael Nadal enjoyed a tremendous 2018 season, lifting five trophies, including a record 11th French Open. While injury kept the Spaniard off the court after the US Open, the 2009 champion is ready to go at the Australian Open, where he is excited to chase his second title.
"I feel good. If I was not feeling good, I would not be here," said Nadal. "After surgery [on my foot], after months without competing... of course there are always issues when you come back. But [it's] nothing new for me."
The Spaniard added that he would be showcasing a new service motion.
"The serve was always a thing that I tried to improve, and I think I did. Maybe it was the time to try to make one more step. I am happy with it... I didn't compete with this new serve, so let's see how it works. I am confident it's going to work well."
FASTER AND ASSURED
Bolstered by her triumph over Serena Williams at Naomi Osaka last year's US Open and a very productive off-season, Naomi Osaka is cautiously setting her sights on the Australian Open crown.
"I mean, I feel like, of course, I have to take it one step at a time. No one wants to lose in the first round of a slam, I think. That would be my immediate goal," she said. "From there, I've been in the third round 100 million times already. That would be my next goal. Hopefully semis after that. Then I can think about the final and winnings."
Osaka also lost weight during the off-season, but says it is strictly to help her improve her game.
"I want to be faster. It's not for looks or anything. I feel like it helps me play better. Like, I get to the ball faster, and I'm not as sore," she said.
BURDEN OF A CHAMPION
Caroline Wozniacki has been coming to the Australian Open for more than a decade, but this year is different. This time she is the defending champion.
The World No. 3 put years of frustration behind her last January when she saved a match point, before working past Romanian star Simona Halep to claim her first major.
"I think it's a positive to be here as the defending champion. I'm just taking it as a nice, fun challenge," Wozniacki told reporters at a press conference at Melbourne Park on Sunday. "I can't believe it's already been a year. It doesn't feel like it to me. But, it's great to be back."
"My first practice was on Rod Laver, and it was just nice. I felt comfortable straight away when I hit balls on that court. It was just a good feeling," she said. "It's definitely great to be back."
FIRST AS A MOTHER?
Serena Williams is ready to win her first Grand Slam title as a mother, having arrived in Australian in her best condition since coming back from maternity leave, according to her coach Patrick Mouratoglou, and with Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles in peril at Melbourne Park.
"It [Court's record] is something that I clearly want but I have to be able to get there and beat a lot of good players to get it," said the American.
The 37-year-old's last outing on tour was her meltdown in losing the US Open final in September but Serena added that she had put the controversial final at Flushing Meadows behind her and intended to "move on to bigger and better things".
Her coach Patrick Mouratoglou sounded off a warning, saying: "She's ready. She's ready to compete and when Serena's ready to compete, she's ready to win."