MONTREAL (CP) _ Hundreds of tennis fans crowded around practice courts Monday as two players named Martina prepared for their opening rounds in the Rogers Cup.
Most of the eyes and cameras were focused on Martina Navratilova as the 49-year-old trained for her final professional appearance in Canada before retiring later this year.
Now a doubles specialist, the tennis legend is hoping to end her career with nine Canadian crowns.
The defending doubles champion also won seven titles at the Canadian Open between 1980 and 1989, including three in Montreal.
Two courts away, her Swiss namesake, Martina Hingis, pounded ball after ball in her continuing comeback bid for the winner's circle following a nearly three-year absence.
The 25-year-old former world No. 1 has won two Canadian titles, one in 1999 in Toronto and a year later in Montreal.
Ian Burgess of Fredericton, N.B. was one of some 300 fans who marvelled at Navratilova's play.
``She's probably the best woman's player ever,'' he said as the Czech-born player practised with doubles partner Nadia Petrova of Russia.
After watching her so many years on television, it was the first time Burgess had seen Navratilova in person.
``It's quite something to see her. She's amazing. She's still playing and she plays well to hold up that long.''
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EXCITED CANUCK: Aleksandra Wozniak is looking forward to her first match Tuesday as a professional before a hometown crowd.
The native of Blainville, Que., is slated to play Ai Sugiyama of Japan.
``It's exciting because it's rare that you get a chance to play at home,'' the 132-ranked player said.
The 18-year-old is feeling confident and hopes to gain experience to better take on the world's best.
``Right now what I need is to play more matches against the top 50 in the world players to get those intense matches and to get the experience to win against them.''
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NEW RULES:Two new rules in professional tennis are being used in Montreal _ video replay and on-court coaching.
Nathalie Dechy of France won her match against Tzipora Obziler of Israel despite losing most of the calls she challenged.
Still, both players welcomed the new rule, which allows players to challenge two incorrect calls per set. The challenge must be launched at the end of points.
``There have been some really big mistakes on major points so for me it's a really great technology and I enjoy playing with it,'' said Dechy.
The coaching change will allow players to speak with their coach on the court once per set.
Third-seeded Nadia Petrova said she doesn't think many players
are excited about the change. Instead of coming on court, she said
it would be preferable if coaches talked to players from the
sidelines.
