Notebook

Navratilova loves the mangoes, hates toilet paper

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Martina Navratilova loves the airport security guards and mangoes. She dislikes the food and toilet paper.

The greatest women's player of all time returned to the Australian Open for the first time since 1989 this week and bowed out in the third round of the doubles on Sunday.

After Navratilova and doubles partner Svetlana Kuznetsova lost to Serena and Venus Williams, the 46-year-old was asked questions on a wide range of issues, from what she likes about the tournament to a review of affirmative action legislation in then U.S.

"The people here are just fantastic," said Navratilova. "It's a pleasure to be here. The attitude, for example, at being at the airport and going through security -- in the States it has become such a nightmare because people have such an attitude about having the power over you. Here, even at the airports they do it with a smile."

And now, the bad news.

"They could improve the food [at the tournament]. I always talk about the food at Grand Slams. The food could use some improvement."

The toilet paper was not good either, she said.

Navratilova said she commented about the toilet paper on her previous visit and a company sent her a "whole big box."

"So then when I played the Gold Coast tournament they said 'why did you really come to Australia?' I said it's mango season and the local council sent me boxes of mangoes.

"Every time I say something, I get boxes. Next time I talk about it, I'll talk about caviar I guess."

Having summed up Australia, Navratilova was asked to move on, to England, and the future of their grass court tournaments including Wimbledon.

She won nine of her 18 Slams on grass and believes there should be more tournaments played on the surface.

The grass season before Wimbledon "needs to be longer than two weeks. "Variety is the spice of life and it is the spice of tennis. If you standardize the surfaces then you won't see the variety of the game." She suggests moving the schedule around to make Wimbledon come after a five-week grass season.

"I don't think grass is an anomaly," she said. "It should stay around."

Box seat

On Sunday he was ringside as Kostya Tszyu, a Russian-born Australian, successfully defended his undisputed world boxing titles in the super lightweight (140 pounds) division.

Venus vanquished

Despite losing 6-3, 6-2 to Venus Williams, Australian Nicole Pratt is not among those forecasting a fourth straight Grand Slam final between the Williams sisters.

"I think I'll stick with Kim (Clijsters)," was Pratt's prediction for Australian Open women's champion.

She saw Venus as "a little bit shaky in different areas."

"Girls like Kim and obviously Serena (Williams), I think, are hitting better off the ground than Venus at the moment."

But, she added, "Venus has a great serve and is able to pull out points when she needs them."

Serena beat elder sister Venus last year for the title at the French and U.S. Opens and Wimbledon. In November, Clijsters beat both sisters en route to winning the WTA Tour Championships.

They're barmy

The British Chamber of Commerce is trying to recruit fans for the Davis Cup tie against Australia in Sydney next month.

Britain had just one entrant at the Australian Open, and she was in the women's draw.

With Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski missing, Britain's hopes rest with unknowns Miles Maclagan and Alex Bogdanovic. Australia will be served by world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis.

British fans have made their presence felt in Australia already this year. England's cricket team is on tour here and they are being followed by thousands of supporters known as the "Barmy Army".

The British Chamber of Commerce has posted a plea on the Barmy Army's own website for any cricket supporters still in Australia to back the tennis team.

British nationals can buy cheap tickets, which includes entry to the tennis for all three days, a British flag, a T-shirt and access to the Team GB Palace beer garden.

About 12,000 England fans watched the final cricket test in Sydney earlier this month.

Family ties

It takes Andre Agassi, the family man, about three times longer to travel anywhere now than it did when he was single and traveling light.

Wife Steffi, former women's No. 1, and one-year-old son Jaden Gil keep Agassi company on tour and that keeps him active.

"I takes about three times as long to do anything ... you leave early, you leave room for all sorts of curves and take it in stride," he said. "It beats the alternative. You know, it's not easy being away from your family.

"It wouldn't be easy for me not to be playing because I feel like I still have it in me. To have the support, my family being with me, it makes this all possible."

 

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