Lindsay won't join in the bitching

Venus dominated the second half of last year, winning the singles titles at Wimbledon, the US Open and the Olympics, but because she missed the start of the year through injury, the No1 spot remained with Hingis.

Watching all this from the wings is reigning Australian Open champion Lindsay Davenport, who brings a welcome dose of unassuming normality to the women's game, but has had few of the commercial rewards which have been showered on the other, admittedly more photogenic, protagonists.

Venus has just been given a record-breaking Reebok contract worth £25 million, and Hingis and Kournikova can be seen in adverts nearly every time you turn on the television.

There are far fewer people wanting Davenport to endorse their goods, but there are some genuine fans who would love it if, while the others get caught in their cat-fight, Davenport takes the prize again.

The fact the women's section of the first Grand Slam of 2001 is more interesting is because the men's game has been predictable for a long time - but now the youngsters are threatening to take over the sport. Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras (now married and fully fit for the first time in ages) are in Melbourne, but so are the young guns, such as local hero Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin.

The 20-year-old Russian is doubtful for next week. He was thrashed 6-2, 6-1 in under an hour by Frenchman Nicolas Escude in Melbourne's Colonial Classic yesterday, but the world No2 then revealed he is having treatment for an elbow problem. Safin admitted: "I will try to play next week, but without serve you can't play."

Sandwiched between the thirty-somethings and the youngsters are men like Henman and Greg Rusedski, who is battling back from a year of injury with the help of new coach Pat Cash.

Henman, now 26 years old, is still trying to make it past the semi-final hurdle at any Slam and has yet to produce his best form at the Australian Open.

His build-up included a quarter-final showing at Adelaide and then he headed for Melbourne and 34C temperatures on court with coach David Felgate.

For Felgate, the Adelaide tournament confirmed that his man was fit and mentally ready for the opening Slam of the year and he is understandably upbeat.

Felgate told Standard Sport: "Tim has all the tools to win a Grand Slam and it could be this one because it is a good surface for him. You have to make your own luck in a Slam and there is always one round when you have to dig yourself out of trouble.

"All we have been working on coming into the Slam are pretty minor things, but together, they can make a difference because Tim knows he has the shots to succeed at this level.

"What you have to bear in mind is that while some big names are missing, like Mark Philippoussis, there are a number of dangerous unseeded guys like Nicolas Kiefer, who the seeds could meet very early in the tournament."

Henman, seeded eight next week, is happy with his game and revealed: "I'm in good shape and hitting the ball well - I'm giving myself every chance to do well.

"I have been very motivated to keep working this week because there is that element of frustration after losing in Adelaide and you sometimes need that. I really feel very optimistic about the Open and, hopefully, I will have my best run ever there."

Henman defeated Rusedski in the first round in Adelaide and the British No 2 headed off to Auckland to gain more court time as he bids to regain his place among the game's elite.

It all makes for a fascinating two weeks in Melbourne.

Sampras, chasing a 14th Slam title, added: "I am trying to add to what I already have. I want to be winning majors.

"But having broken the Slam record (Roy Emerson also had 12) I feel that the pressure is off."