Australian Open 2013: Kids Tennis Day with Nickelodean and tennis stars

A special show was presented at the Rod Laver Arena in conjunction with Kids Tennis Day today. The annual kids event featured Novak Djokovic, Victoria Azarenka, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Ana Ivanovic.

The event also featured singer Guy Sebastian. Nickelodeon stars SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Starfish, Dora the Explorer and Diego joined the entertainment line-up as well. 

Federer's and Lleyton Hewitt's children were spotted at the event.

(Images via Australian Open website, Sina Tennis, Tennisfoum)

Australian Open 2013 official players party

Players attended the official Australian Open players party at the Grand Hyatt last night. Those who attended were greeted by some wildlife e.g. koala, snake and a joey. There's a video at the end of this post.

Stanislas Wawrinka

Lucie Safarova

Chen Ti

Jelena Jankovic

Michael Llodra 

Radek Stepanek

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Petra Kvitova 

Sania Mirza

James Ward and Anne Keothavong

Daniela Hantuchova 

Denis Istomin

(Images via Zimbio)

Novak Djokovic defeats an Audi race car but Sugarpova is the winner of the day

Novak Djokovic defeated an Audi R8 LMS GT3 race car by hitting a tennis ball faster than the race car during a photocall at Sandown Racecourse earlier today.

However, no events were bigger than the Australian Red Carpet Launch of Maria Sharapova's lolly brand, Sugarpova. Not even the Australian Open draw ceremony that took place in the morning at the same venue in Crown Plaza Riverside. Sharapova signed fans’ bags of the brand new sweets in a meet and greet setting.

(Images by Graham Denholm/Getty Images; @AustralianOpen twitter page, Yahoo! Tennis)

Australian Open 2013: Novak Djokovic eyeing a hat-trick

Reigning champions Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka, both currently ranked no.1 in the world attended the Australian Open official draw ceremony this morning. The event was made public this year and was held at the Crown Riverside.

Djokovic's bid for a third consecutive Australian Open title received a boost when Roger Federer and Andy Murray landed in the other half. The Serbian will face Paul-Henri Mathieu in the first round and also has Tomas Berdych in the quarter of the draw and David Ferrer in his half. Click here for the complete draw.

Meanwhile, Azarenka is in the same quarter as Caroline Wozniacki and has Serena Williams in her half. Maria Sharapova, who is launching her Sugarpova in Melbourne today is on the other half of the draw and could meet Venus Williams in the third round. Click here for the complete draw.

(Images via Yahoo! Tennis)

Australian Open 2013: The heat is on

Last year I had the opportunity to attend my first Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne. Everything was great except the crazy weather. Although I only spent one day at the Australian Open due to a packed schedule but I thought I had enough of the heatwave. I only managed to sit through a game where Stanislas Wawrinka was playing and that was it.

While I look to bet on march madness online, the same month Rafael Nadal is scheduled to be back on court in Indian Wells, I'll still be following up closely with the AO tournament despite the absence of Nadal. I believe the competition is going to be very tight this year (isn't that happen every year?).

Here are some training pictures from Melbourne before the tournament kicks off next week.

Ana Ivanovic (she looks too skinny these days)

Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray

Victoria Azarenka

Lleyton Hewitt

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Serena Williams

Roger Federer

(Images via Sina Sports)