TENNIS in DEPTH.

The world No.1 coughed, sneezed and spluttered her way through a practice session at Rod Laver Arena two days after withdrawing from a Hong Kong exhibition event because of illness.

Jankovic looked lethargic throughout the 15 minutes the media was allowed to look on from the stands.

But images of the major drawcard blowing her nose were of no concern to Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley.

Tiley, who spoke with Jankovic on her arrival in Melbourne on Sunday, is supremely confident she will be fit for the grand glam title, starting on Monday.

“I saw her yesterday because I meet all the players when they arrive and talk to them. I had read reports she was not in good health, but she was fine,” Tiley said yesterday.

“I had a chat to her for about 10 minutes. By all accounts and feedback she’s fine and ready to come in as the No.1 seed and player in the world. She wants to have a shot at winning this event.”

Tiley has helped organise West Australian Miles Armstrong as Jankovic’s hit-up partner.

Armstrong has been booked for three weeks, a sign that Jankovic is not planning to go anywhere in a hurry.

The 23-year-old Serbian told officials in Hong Kong she had been struck down by a stomach ailment.

“I have been weak and sick for the last couple of days,” Jankovic, a semi-finalist at the Australian Open last year, told the crowd.

“I have been trying my best to get on the court, but I feel slow, I have no reactions and it has been a struggle for me.

“My immune system is down as well because I’ve been training very, very hard.

“I reached my limit. It’s easy to get sick, especially being surrounded by many people and a change of climate, change of time zone and everything.

“My main goal now is to get back on court as soon as possible and get ready for the Australian. I will try and stay optimistic and hope for the best.”

Playing in Hong Kong as her only preparation for the Australian Open, Jankovic lost to Venus Williams 6-2 6-2 on Thursday. She appeared sluggish and erratic.

But Tiley stopped a long way short of panic mode when Jankovic pulled out of the teams event in Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong is an exhibition. It doesn’t surprise us when they pull out of exhibitions,” Tiley said.

“If they are not 100 per cent the players tend to do that.

“The top players, particularly, focus on majors. Being the first major of the year they want a good start.

“I didn’t talk to her about Hong Kong at all. I’ve seen it happen often.”

Other big names to hit up at Melbourne Park yesterday included Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic, Fernando Gonzalez, Marat Safin, Tommy Haas and Marcos Baghdatis.

Bookmark It