An overview of Men’s Singles event:

The sizzling sunshine is covering the graceful landscape of Lod Raver Arena at Melbourne Park where the first grand slam of the year 2009, the Australian Open is going to be in action from January 19, 2009. The dazzling city of Melbourne is marked with the feast of this mega event as thousands of fans/spectators have started pouring into the Park to witness the “biggest Stage” of the tennis icons.

The slam is fully enriched in with all top seeded tennis professionals from all over the world including the world no. 1, Rafael Nadal, the Spanish super star, the dashing and distinctive former no. 1, the Swiss master, Roger Federer who is eager to combat to regain the no. 1 spot, the defending champion, the Serbian hawk, Novak Djokovic, seeded 3rd in the event. Novak has already shown his class by wining the Tennis Masters Cup (d. Devidenko) at Shanghai last year.

Over the last half-decade, the 27-year-old Swiss had set the bar so high as holding the World No. 1 ranking for a record 237 consecutive weeks, Federer took the concept of dominance to entirely new levels. Though 2008 was a year most players dream of – three Grand Slam finals, including his fifth straight US Open title – it was also a year of uproar and challenge. As Federer said the evening of his win in New York, “To bounce back straight away after losing the No. 1 ranking, this is the best scenario ever.”

As 2009 begins, Roger Federer has entered a new phase of his career that is potentially daunting, dangerous and distinctive. Daunting because he is trying to earn back his No. 1 ranking. Dangerous because the likes of Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and a host of rising new stars are nipping at Federer’s heels, eager to step up and make their own mark on tennis history. But, yes, distinctive because the possibility is there that Federer in 2009 could join Ivan Lendl as the only former ATP World Tour Champion to finish the year ranked at the top of the ATP computer after losing that spot.
Everybody at the park is keenly watching the cruising young British, Andy Murray, seeded 4 at the slam, who is significantly promising athlete imbued in professional competence and skill. Murray outclassed the world’s top players including Nadal, Federer, and recently the Andy Roddick (in final of Qatar Exxon Mobile Tennis championship at Doha) and is considered to be the hot favorite for the open by the tennis experts.

Novak Djokovic is eager to retain his title even though he was stunned by Jarko Niemen in the semi-final of Medibank Championship, two weeks ago. Still the fans are excited to see the Serbian defending his title by showing same brilliance and acrobatic excellent that he had performed last year at Tennis Masters Cup.

Marat Safin of Russia has revealed his interventions as this might going to be his last appearance at the Melbourne Park. The Russian can prove to be very much fatal with his stunning and subtle efforts to end up with some sizzling and shocking stuff. The Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina is also showing his peak form as he has managed to win a title few weeks ago this year.
The clock is ticking, draws have been finalized, paths have been set, and the STAGE is ready to embrace the new champion at the first Grand Slam of 2009, the ultimate dream coming true!