Australian Open Betting / Ralph Ellis / 15 January 2011 /

The first Grand Slam of the year starts on Monday in Melbourne. Betfair got up in the middle of the night to talk to Britain's number one Elena Baltacha about what to expect...

Hi Elena, how's Australia?

Great, thanks. I really like it here.

What's your favourite thing Down Under? Do you get to do any of the tourist stuff or is it all practice and preparation?

We only got in late on Thursday night because I was playing in Hobart and we were delayed by rain there, so I can't say I've seen much but I have been to Melbourne lots of times before and it's one of my favourite places. We're staying next to the Casino, which has lots of cinemas and restaurants and loads to see so if I get the chance I'll head out there and explore. When you're at a big tournament, though, you end up spending a lot of time either at the courts, at the gym or resting at the hotel. It's business!

Heat is usually the problem in Melbourne but there's been lots of rain this year. What's the weather forecast like?

The weather is great today (Saturday) and it's beautiful when the sun shines, which the forecast says it will - although we're not expecting the sort of 40 degree temperatures that have happened in other years. There has been a lot of rain and you feel for the organisers in places like Hobart but to be honest you only have to see the Queensland floods on the news to get a sense of perspective about the rain. Those poor people are dealing with a lot worse than a few cancelled tennis matches.

If it does get hot in the next fortnight who among the top girls do you think is best at dealing with those conditions?

It's down to who has put the work in during the off season, really, and how you prepare for matches. My coach Nino is so careful about how much fluid I take on board, how hydrated I am before and after matches and getting those little things right will hopefully make the difference.

Of course there's no Serena Williams this year. What effect will that have on the other girls?

I'm a bit disappointed that she's not here to be honest, because she's my favourite player and she always plays well here. I have so much respect for Serena. I think the others, like (Caroline) Wozniacki and Kim Clijsters will probably fancy their chances.There's an opportunity for sure.

Without Serena, Kim Clijsters seems to be clear favourite. Is it more wide open than that?

I think it's very open. Clijsters was playing really well this time last year and she had a loss to Nadia Petrova, which kind of surprised people. Anything can happen. She's got Dinara Safina in the first round and that's very tough.

How did you feel about your draw. A qualifier and then possibly Justine Henin. Is that an opportunity?

I'm only thinking about the first match and since I don't know who I play I just have to worry about the things that I can control and take care of those and make sure I'm ready whoever I play. I don't take any opponents for granted. Everyone's got a lot to play for and everyone is dangerous.

In a perfect world you might then meet Caroline Wozniacki in the quarters. What do you make of her as the new number one?

The rankings don't lie. She hasn't won a slam but she has come close and she's banked the ranking points, which you have to respect. She's a really nice girl as well.

How has your preparation been? We gather you flew business class for the first time which must be a help.

Yeah, things like that can help. I had a great eight-week training block before Christmas so I'm feeling good. I was in bed with flu over Christmas itself and just before I got on the plane but I got past that pretty quickly once I started competing again. Business class was nice and I've just been given a special card from Servisair, that run all the lounges at airports, so I can expect a bit more luxury more often this year!

You must have felt you earned that bit of luxury after such a good year in 2010. What are the targets for 2011?

2010 was great but I'm kind of seeing it as a platform to build on now. The first big goal is to win my first match here and overall I want to get back inside the top 50 again (I'm now 55) and start moving up from there. I've given myself the opportunity and now it's up to me to make the most of it.

We were listening to your coach Nino Severino say he's trying to make you mentally stronger. Is he succeeding?

Nino has been amazing and I've really changed as a tennis player and as a person since I've started working with him. He's helped me change my view of myself and my mentality and I'm able to think more clearly on court now. That's a good feeling.

We've a free £50 bet with any winnings to go to a favourite charity. We're guessing that will be the liver foundation that you are a patron of. Tell us a bit about your work for that.

I have a liver condition myself (Primary Schlerosing Cholangitis) which affects my immune system so it's really close to my heart. I became patron of the Children's Liver Disease Foundation last year and it's something I'm really proud of. There are so many kids and young people they help and they deal with conditions that are so, so much worse than anything I ever have to worry about. They're incredible. Their website is www.childliverdisease.org.

And what's your bet?

Ipswich Town is my club and it's funny that I've ended up back living there now, after my dad played for them when I was little. I try to get to as many home games as I can and I really hope the new manager Paul Jewell can make an impact. The Carling Cup run is really good for the club and it was a great win over Arsenal. Odds of [5.0] to qualify are brilliant.

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