Players gear up for physical test of season's first major

MELBOURNE – Over two months and 10,000 miles removed, Caroline Wozniacki's marathon feat in New York City in November could pay dividends at the Australian Open, which begins here on Monday.

"Anyone that can run a marathon is automatically fittest on tour," world No. 1 Serena Williams told reporters Saturday. "She's so fit."

The first major of the tennis season has long held the reputation as the most grueling. Andre Agassi upped that ante in the early 2000s, capturing the title in 2000, 2001 and 2003 with epic tales of runs up and down the jagged hills of suburban Las Vegas.

Since then, the tennis tour as a whole has seen the fitness stakes only get higher, players like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic competing with a kind of never-say-die physicality that had never been seen before.

"The physical aspect of the sport has become, I think, very, very important," 2008 champion Maria Sharapova said. "It always has been, but I think it's become more important than ever."

It's Wozniacki and Djokovic that get the collective nod as the respective "fittest" on the tours, perhaps mostly due to their willingness to run and run (and run) on court. The Dane, a former world No. 1, could play – and do plenty of running – against Williams in the quarterfinals, a re-match of the U.S. Open final.

"The girl is never out of breath," observed Chris Evert, the tennis great who is now a TV commentator, of Wozniacki. "She will be way into the second hour of a match and she's as cool as a cucumber. I'm amazed. Cardiovascular wise, it's a huge advantage over the other players."

Patrick McEnroe, a sometimes-partner of Evert's in the commentator's booth, added Andy Murray to the mix, the world No. 6 having changed up his training team during the off season.

"Murray can play well in the heat," McEnroe noted. "He's smart by basing himself during the off season in Miami. He wants those hot, humid conditions."

Milos Raonic, the world No. 8 and a Wimbledon semifinalist last year, spent much of December improving his fitness, trying to add that aspect to his game known for its firepower.

"We had eight days where we did 14 workouts and I played no tennis," said Raonic, who could face Djokovic in the quarterfinals. "It's about building a base to be able to push really hard through the second week [of a major]. We improved tremendously compared to last season on endurance and agility speed, on changing direction quickly on court."

Lindsay Davenport, the former Grand Slam champion and now coach of American Madison Keys, believes players' fitness level has sky rocketed since she left the tour in 2008.

"The fitness of these players is off the charts right now," said Davenport, who also works as a TV commentator. "My husband was in Sydney last week watching qualifying and said he couldn't believe what he was seeing in terms of on-court movement."

Petra Kvitova, the reigning Wimbledon champion and No. 4 seed, is noticeably trimmer to start her year. Over the off-season she hired Alex Stober, the former trainer of Li Na, who retired in September.

"We had a great program, a great schedule," Kvitova said of her training. "I know that it is the space which I can improve a lot. I'm just really going for it. It was a tough off season, hard work, but I'm glad for it."

Wozniacki, McEnroe said, will need the help of a hot Australian day to overcome Williams should they meet in the final eight.

"Anyone who can run a marathon like that, you have to vote for her," McEnroe said of Wozniacki's three-hour, 26-minute effort. "She's playing with a lot of confidence. She's someone who can benefit from the tough conditions. Sometimes the heat can get to Serena."

Defending champion Stan Wawrinka, who has gone 1-1 in two wars of attrition with Djokovic over the past couple of Australian Opens added his tally for the Serb.

"Novak is quite amazing in that way," Wawrinka told reporters. "He's been really fit, finishing No. 1 a few times, winning a lot of long, long matches. But no, it's tough to say [who is most fit]."

Physical appearance, Evert added, could tell the truest of stories, however.

"Roger never sweats," she said, laughing. "That counts for something, right? I think he's up there. But, over five sets, you have to say Djokovic."