Perth, Jan 4 (DPA) Andy Murray and Andy Roddick have put in quiet bids for spots in next week’s Australian Open tune-up at Melbourne’s Kooyong club, while longtime participant Roger Federer ponders a 2010 late entry.
The eight-man special event starting next Wednesday now has an embarrassment of choice for the eight-man field.
World number one Federer has yet to announces his decision on final polish for the January 18 start of the Australian Open, with a place being held for him at suburban Kooyong where the AAMI Classic will be played.
The Swiss is coming off a 2009 season where he won his first French Open and claimed a sixth Wimbledon title, also reclaiming the top ranking he had held previously for a record 237 consecutive weeks.
His management has promised a decision within a few days.
Murray and Roddick have also put in bids, with Murray considering asking for a practise match. Logistics could be complicated as 2008 Aussie Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – a Kooyong entry – battles a wrist injury which has forced him from two events already in the New Year.
“The plan is to go to Melbourne and maybe play a match at Kooyong,” said Murray at Perth’s Hopman Cup. “I feel good. It’s only been four weeks since London (year-end finals), so I don’t feel like I’ve been away from the court too long.”
Roddick has played Kooyong before and is headlining in Brisbane this week. The field currently includes Novak Djokovic, Juan Del Potro, Fernando Verdasco, Robin Soderling, Tommy Haas, Fernando Gonzalez and Tsonga.
rounak