Briton Andy Murray started it. Four times Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic pulled a major surprise with his choice, while all-time great Roger Federer even has one despite years of shunning the entire coaching concept.
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray all spent mercifully little time on court but Lleyton Hewitt bowed out in a five-set thriller in sweltering conditions at the Australian Open Tuesday.
Andy Murray warned organisers were risking a tragedy Tuesday as extreme temperatures caused players to faint and vomit in a day of extraordinary scenes at the Australian Open.
Victoria Azarenka began her Australian Open title defence in stuttering fashion Tuesday and Maria Sharapova was also made to fight, in contrast to Caroline Wozniacki who sizzled in the Melbourne heat.
Maria Sharapova celebrated her return to the grand slam spotlight on Tuesday with an emphatic 6-3 6-4 win over American Bethanie Mattek-Sands to charge into the second round of the Australian Open.
World number five Juan Martin del Potro advanced to the second round of the Australian Open with a 6-7 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over American qualifier Rhyne Williams in stifling heat on Tuesday.
Players fainted and vomited and a ball boy collapsed as the Australian Open boiled in one of the hottest days in its history Tuesday, prompting angry complaints and keeping fans away in droves.
Italy`s Andreas Seppi endured a more than four-hour epic in sizzling heat before finally overcoming a stubborn Lleyton Hewitt and a partisan Australian Open crowd on Tuesday.
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal advanced to the second round of the Australian Open after his opponent in first round Bernard Tomic retired due to injury.
American number one John Isner wants injured players to be compensated with first round prize money at grand slams to lower the number of early withdrawals.
Wimbledon champion Andy Murray meant business at the Hisense Arena on Tuesday at the first round match of the Australian Open.
Czech veteran Radek Stepanek was furious Tuesday after being forced out of the Australian Open with a severe headache while leading his first-round match with Blaz Kavcic.
A ball boy collapsed and water bottles melted on court as the world`s top tennis players struggled in extreme heat which soared towards record levels at the Australian Open Tuesday.
