Here’s a sneak peek of the new outfit Serena Williams will wear when she launches defense of her Australian Open title in Melbourne next month. Serena will be wearing white and purple — a white Nike dress with purple accents over purple lycra biker shorts.

“I just think I represent all females out there who believe in themselves,” Williams said.

(via Tennis Week Blog found through Women Who Serve)

The 2008 Australian Open is expected to have the best field in the tournament’s 103-year history, since only one of both top 100 ATP and WTA players won’t compete. That one player is world No.40 Vera Dushevina of Russia who was forced to withdraw due to a right-foot injury.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley is thrilled with the strength of the lineup.

"At this stage, it's the strongest field in the event's history and we're sure this will equate to one of the most exciting tournaments yet," said Tiley.

Don't forget that the women's field has four former singles champions in Lindsay Davenport, Justine Henin, Amelie Mauresmo, and defending champion Serena Williams. The 2004 champion and world’s best-ranked player Justine Henin will be No.1 seed at the January 14-27 tournament. (via CBS Sports)

Former world No.4 Jelena Dokic plans to return to competitive tennis in 2008 and is hoping to revive her shattered career through the Australian Open.

Having no ranking points, Dokic’s way to the Australian Open won’t be easy. However, she is happy with her progress and has taken the first step by requesting a spot in the wildcard play-off. The winner of the play-offs is awarded a main draw wildcard into the Australian Open. Read more »

The Australian Open has made some steps to make the tremendous heat more bearable for the players. The tournament's heat policy has been amended so that when extreme conditions are declared matches in progress won't have to be immediately finished. Plus, there is a new surface that retains less heat. Read more »

Venus and Serena Williams are planning to join forces for the 2008 Australian Open doubles competition. The sisters are always an attraction when they team up, even though their current ranking in doubles is 9999.

The last time we saw them together on court was at this year’s Wimbledon, but then they had to withdraw in the second round because of Serena's injured thimb.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley is very excited to have these two champions play together:

“The Williams sisters in full flight on the same side of the net is one of the great sights in tennis,” Tiley said. “They are also one of the most skilled pairings on the world circuit with an incredibly successful record in doubles.”

The Williams sisters are one of only five pairings in women's tennis history to win a career doubles grand slam. They have won six majors (Wimbledon and Australian Open twice, US Open and French Open) and an Olympic gold medal in Sydney in 2000.