GOLD COAST (Australia), Dec 28: Wimbledon and US Open champion Venus Williams slipped onto the sunburnt Gold Coast Friday to prepare for the elusive Australian Open crown in January.

Williams is top seed in the Australian Women’s Hardcourt Championships that kick off at the Royal Pines Resort on Sunday.

The 21-year-old, yet to triumph in the Australian Open, flew into Coolangatta International Airport with an entourage of five but chose to avoid waiting media in favour of shaking off jet lag.

Tournament director Liz Smylie, who convinced Williams to herald her New Year at the tournament, is banking on the American sensation to bring in the fans.

“She is very excited to be here but very tired and just wants to go back to the hotel,” Smylie told reporters.

Williams was chauffeur driven from the tarmac through a security gate and whisked away to her room at the resort.

“Once people actually see Venus arrive here and practise it will be well on its way to a sell out,” Smylie said.

“Venus only plays where she wants to play. She obviously thinks the conditions here are perfectly suited for her to do well at the Australian Open,” she added.

Williams and the number two seed and defending champion Justine Henin of Belgium have a first round bye and do not play until early next week.

The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, runs from January 14-27.

Haas not to defend title

BERLIN: Germany’s Tommy Haas has decided not to defend his Australian hardcourt title, turning down a wildcard for the tournament which starts in Adelaide on Monday.

He gave no reason for his decision.

The 23-year-old captured his second career title by defeating Chilean Nicolas Massu in the Adelaide final at the start of this year.—Reuters