Aussie Open set for date switch

Andre Agassi won the 2003 Australian Open

The Australian Open is likely to be moved back a week in 2006 and could begin as late as March in 2007.

Tournament boss Paul McNamee admitted that the current schedule did not allow players enough time to rest following the end of the previous season.

"The issue for the sport is whether we could get away with only a one-week change or hold it in March, but that would not be until 2007," McNamee said.

"We want to see a longer off-season. The end of the year is too late."

But McNamee added that he was upset that it had been left to organisers of the Australian Open to look at the long season facing today's players.

"We have to keep pressure on the rest of the sport," he said.

"It shouldn't be left to Australia to solve all the problems and that's the thing that we're most disappointed about."

Last month, Wimbledon organisers ruled out delaying the start of the tournament by a week until at least 2006, despite pressure to allow more time after the French Open.

This year's Davis Cup final ends on 30 November, leaving seven weeks between the end of the 2003 season and the start of the Australian Open on 19 January.

Ferrero 'may miss Melbourne'

World number one Juan Carlos Ferrero, who will represent Spain at the Davis Cup final, has already hinted that he may miss the first Grand Slam event of the year.

McNamee said Tennis Australia would have to bring a recommendation to world tennis officials at the Houston Masters event next month.

Speaking at the official launch of next year's Australian Open, McNamee said he was hopeful Venus and Serena Williams would come to Melbourne.

The pair are both struggling with injuries and are mourning the death of sister Yetunde Price, who was fatally shot last month.

"I'm very, very hopeful with Serena and Venus," McNamee said.

"I have no doubt they are intending to come, even though they have been through something very traumatic."

McNamee is also hopeful that Jelena Dokic, who has not played in Australia since reverting to Yugoslav nationality, will also appear.