Gossip from the Aussie Open

You can get the news from the sports pages. I'll bring you the inside scoop from the Open. Living in OZ during the Open is having a courtside seat to all the news that's not fit to print. Check back at my blog for updates.

• All of Australia is mourning the fact that Lleyton Hewitt is in the same half of the draw as Roger Federer.
• David Nalbandian has a stomach virus.
• Unflattering photos of Serena Williams working out have been making the rounds. To tell the truth she does look heavier than usual. Hopefully, all that bulk is muscle. She's been a good sport about it all, laughing at herself.
• Tommy Haas showed up shorn of his locks and looking very thin, especially in his face, still great-looking though.
• Serena has been shopping in Melbourne. Shopkeepers love seeing her turn up as she and sis, Venus, spent tens of thousands at Versace and other shops last year.
• Sharapova has adopted a bohemian look for the Open. At both press conferences she wore clothes that looked like rags spread across her great frame and lots of heavy make-up. She's injured but will play.
• Kim Clijsters is here without boyfriend Brian, but talking of quitting tennis to have kids. She's injured also but will play.
• 20 of the Top 20 women are at the Open.
• 17 of the Top 20 men are here. (Agassi, Nadal, Safin are no-shows due to injuries.)
• Top 5 Men: 1)Federer, 2)Roddick, 3)Hewitt, 4)Nalbandian, 5)Davydenko
• Top 5 Women: 1)Davenport, 2)Clijsters, 3)Mauresmo, 4)Sharapova, 5)Pierce