DOB: 29.04.1970 Nationality: American World Ranking: 2 Australian Open record:  2002 :: n/a 2001 :: winner 2000 :: winner 1999 :: fourth round 1998 :: fourth round 1997 :: n/a

Agassi may now be 32 years old but he is still among the leading candidates to take the title - and an eighth Grand Slam crown.

He remains one of the quickest and most agile players on the tour, and his legendary fitness is a major factor in the fiercely hot conditions at Melbourne Park.

The American was hugely disappointed to finish last year without a major title, and defeat to arch rival Pete Sampras in the US Open final was especially hard.

But while Sampras saw that victory as the perfect moment to take an extended break, the loss has spurred Agassi on.