Tennis Back Already

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - This season's tennis calendar gets underway in earnest tomorrow, as the year's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open kicks off. Top-level tennis returns to the sporting calendar a full six weeks after the close of the gruelling, 11-month 2009 season, almost before anyone had the chance to really miss it. Players and fans alike have expressed delight at the swift return of wall-to-wall competition and coverage of the sport.

World No.1 Roger Federer, emerging onto a practice court unshaven and wearing sunglasses, said "It's really good to be back on the court. I've got to say, the weeks have really flown by since we were in London. But I've had a few weeks relaxation, just a few is enough, and I'm ready to go." Federer was heard to audibly sigh a number of times during a brief knock-up, before heading off court twenty minutes later.

World number two and defending Rafa Nadal, meanwhile, has reportedly been away from the complex, windsurfing and scuba diving to "get focussed" ahead of the tournament. Fans gathering in Melbourne ahead of the tournament were similarly upbeat. "I'm hoping to see Federer against Roddick, like the Wimbledon final" said one. "Another five sets of that would be great. I can remember that final like it was yesterday. It just went on and on. It'd be kind of cool to see them pick up where they left off".

Not all those gathered at Melbourne Park were so positive, however. John McEnroe, providing commentary for US television, was heard speculating "how many goddam hours" of tennis commentary he would have to provide in the searing Australian heat. World number 5 and British hope Andy Murray summed up the mood in some quarters with a tweet late last night that said quite simply "fucking tennis".