Clijsters injury scare on eve of Australian Open
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-16 11:33

Roddick was a shock first round loser at the U.S. Open last year and missed the Masters Cup through injury but says he is feeling revitalised after his extended layoff.

"I'm more prepared now than I have been in the past. But that doesn't always translate into instant success," he said.

Federer, Clijsters and Hewitt do not play until Tuesday. Hewitt is once again looming as Australia's only real contender after reaching the final last year.

Hewitt's life has changed dramatically in the past 12 months. He married television soap actress Bec Cartwright and is now a father after the couple had a baby daughter.

He has not won a tournament for more than a year but bristled at suggestions he had lost his killer instincts.

"It's something that once the bell rings, I'll be ready to go on Tuesday," Hewitt said.

The Australian Open also marks the grand slam return of former world number one Martina Hingis.

The Swiss once dominated Melbourne Park, appearing in six consecutive Australian Open finals from 1997, winning three consecutive titles from 1997-99.

Injury forced her into premature retirement in 2002 but she is back this year and admitting to some pre-tournament nerves.

"It feels different, definitely, to coming here playing in '95 when I was 15, fearless," she said. "Ten years later, you have some butterflies in your stomach."