Wimbledon and US Open champion Venus Williams arrived Down Under on Friday to begin preparations for a Grand Slam that has eluded her - the Australian Open Williams, 21, is top seed in the Australian women's hardcourt championships that begins on Sunday. She and No. 2 seed and defending champion Justine Henin of Belgium will have first-round byes and probably not play their second-round matches until Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

"She is very excited to be here but very tired and just wants to go back to the hotel," tournament director Liz Smylie said after Williams was ushered into a chauffeured limousine driven on to the tarmac at Coolangatta Airport. Smylie said the popularity of Williams would cause a rush on tickets.
"Once people actually see Venus arrive here and practice it will be well on its way to a sell out," Smylie said. "Venus only plays where she wants to play. "She obviously thinks the conditions here are perfectly suited for her to do well at the Australian Open."

Bureau Report