Lleyton Hewitt has arrived in Melbourne buoyed by his Brisbane International win over Roger Federer, and a return to the world's top 50, but he's promising little ahead of next week's Australian Open.
A CROWD large enough to fill almost seven AFL Grand Finals and bigger than six Melbourne Cup audiences is set to push Melbourne Park toward record capacity for next week's Australian Open.
As global tennis stars descend on Melbourne for a share in a record $33 million prizemoney, organisers hope fine weather and the world's best players will this year help push attendance to new heights.
Andy Murray of Britain hits a backhand during a training session ahead of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament. Source: AFP
Crowd numbers fell just 1549 people shy of an all-time Australian Open mark last year despite extreme heat and Aussie stars tumbling out of the action early.
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But with a resurgent Lleyton Hewitt and a host of homegrown talent flying the flag for Australia and almost all top 100 men and women vying for glory, the record may tumble.
Tournament director Craig Tiley said pre-event interest had been strong and sales were trending toward big crowds.
"Of course, the final figure, and whether we break any records or not, tends to depend on the conditions each day,'' he said.
"But I'm extremely pleased with the position we are in a week out from the event.''
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 06: Maria Sharapova during a practice session ahead of the 2014 Australian Open. Source: Getty Images
With the Open starting January 13, foreign stars have wasted no time hitting Melbourne Park with former winner American Serena Williams, Russian star Maria Sharapova and British hopeful Andy Murray on court yesterday.
A crowd of 100,169 attended Hawthorn's Grand Final victory over Fremantle last year and 104,169 filled Flemington for the race that stops a nation.
A whopping 684,457 fans flocked to the two-week Australian Open last year, scoffing more than 35,0000 gourmet sausages along the way.
Twenty years after first winning in Melbourne, tennis great Pete Sampras will return to Rod Laver Arena to award the winner's trophy to this year's men's champion.
Other greats of the game in Melbourne include three-time Australian Open champion Mats Wilander, Wimbledon winner Goran Ivanisevic and French Open victor Yannick Noah, all confirmed for the legends event.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 06: Serena Williams serves during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open. Source: Getty Images
Aussie Wimbledon champion Pat Cash and 18-time grand slam event winner Martina Navratilova will also compete in the legends competition in Melbourne.
Betting giant TAB yesterday installed defending champion Novak Djokovic the $2.15 favourite to win his fourth straight Aussie crown with Williams the $1.70 women's fancy.
Go to ticketek.com.au for tickets.
AUSSIE OPEN BY THE NUMBERS:
* 45,000 tennis balls will be used
* 3650 racquets will be restrung using 44km of string
* Up to 548 players will compete in singles, doubles, mixed and more
* 145,000 bottles of water to be drunk by players and fans
* Players will use 2500 Australian Open towels
* More than 200 countries will tune in to broadcasts
* More than 301,897 will follow on Twitter
* 380-plus ball kids
peter.rolfe@news.com.au
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