KEY POINTS:
As the players in the ASB Classic took to centre court at the business end of the women's international tournament, men's Heineken Open top seed and defending champion David Ferrer slipped quietly on to a back court for a first hit up yesterday.
Among the first of the 60-plus players to arrive for next week's open, Ferrer, who bypassed the opening week tournaments to give himself better preparation here, appeared relaxed after his first practice.
Asked why he had opted to return to the ASB Tennis Centre rather than play across the Tasman ahead of the Australian Open, Ferrer said: "I was here last year. It was a very important tournament for me. Winning here was my first win on hardcourt. It was good for my confidence.
"It is now another year. It is important to prepare properly, to practise morning and afternoon. Maybe there is more pressure than last year in having to play as the top seed."
One of the hardest trainers on ATP Tour, Ferrer, 25, ended the year ranked No 5.
Asked why he had done so well on the tour last year - he also won in Bastad and Tokyo and collected a healthy US$1,955,252 ($2,537,000) for his year's work - Ferrer said, simply: "I don't know."
Of his own game, Ferrer said his speed around the court remains his major weapon.
"I do not serve with a lot of power so I have to run a lot. It is my game."
To ensure it stays that way Ferrer puts in the hard yards, running up to 16km a day. While that seems plenty, he says fellow Spaniards Rafael Nadal (world No 2) and Juan Carlos Ferrero (world No 24) "run more than me".
He is ready to run again when he takes to the court on either Monday or Tuesday for his first round clash with an opponent who will be decided when the draw is made today.
"I have good memories of last year's final with [another Spaniard] Tommy Robredo," said Ferrer. "It is great to be back to defend my title."
While some players are already in Auckland, others will trickle in over the next couple of days after their commitments to tournaments in Doha, Chennai and Adelaide.
MEN'S OPEN
* Auckland.
* Monday to Saturday.
* Draw size: 32.
* Surface: Hard - Rebound Ace.
* Prize money: US$464,000.
* Director: Graham Pearce.
* Hours of play: Monday to Thursday - day 11am, evening 7pm.
* Friday - noon start.
* Saturday - finals, 1pm start.
