Australian open 2013 Features

Roger Federer has appeared in 24 men's Grand Slam finals, ten on them on-the-trot. He also appeared in 18 of 19 finals from the 2005 Wimbledon Championships through to the 2010 Australian Open.

Eight-time Grand Slam winner Andre Agassi believes that the sport has reached its peak with the emergence of all-time greats such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

When she took her seat during the changeover, she wrapped a towel stuffed with ice around her neck and was examined by the primary health care provider for the women's tour, Victoria Simpson, and by a tournament doctor, Tim Wood. She then left the court for further treatment, leaving Stephens, in her first Grand Slam semifinal, waiting nearly 10 minutes for the n...

Sharapova was listed with annual earnings of $US27.9 million to put her comfortably ahead of China's Li Na on $US18.1 million, her opponent in the Australian Open semi-finals on Thursday.

The world number one, who has been supported by the crazy-haired Redfoo at the Australian Open in Melbourne, said a song featuring her distinctive high-to-low grunt would be out soon.

Murray's bulked-up physique has attracted comments at the Australian Open, but he insisted it's the new fitted shirt which is making his upper body look bigger.

The three best female tennis players in the world have something in common at the Australian Open -- romance.

Redfoo was a constant presence at Azarenka's matches during the US Open last year. Only when they were spotted together during the off-season did it appear they had become better acquainted.

Wu, 21, the world number 186, is acutely aware millions of his compatriots will be following his every move against Croatia's Ivan Dodig, when he will become the first Chinese man to play a Grand Slam tournament.

Remarkably, the veteran Swiss star and his Australian counterpart are both lining up for their 55th Grand Slam at the Australian Open this week, more than any other current player.

The former winner, and last year's runner-up, goes into the season's opening Grand Slam without any competitive matches under her belt after a collarbone problem ruled her out of this month's Brisbane International.

Penpix of leading contenders for the Australian Open women's title:

Penpix of leading men's singles contenders at the Australian Open, which gets under way in Melbourne on Monday:

Li Na exited last year's Australian Open in tears after blowing four match points but the Chinese world number six is back to winning ways and eyeing a great chance to double her Grand Slam haul.

A pumped-up Serena Williams is gunning for a sixth Australian Open crown as she kicks off her bid for the first calendar year Grand Slam since the 1980s.

Novak Djokovic will grapple with his growing rivalry with Andy Murray and the enduring powers of Roger Federer as he bids for the first Australian Open hat-trick of the professional era.

Tipsarevic says he is quite used to being second to Novak Djokovic and that he is the best player in the world.