BLUE PLEXICUSHION COURTS

And among those checking out the speed of the new-look blue Melbourne Park courts this week is the man known as one of the fastest servers around, Mark Philippoussis.

The 31-year-old, who earned his nickname "Scud" because of his missile-like serves, arrived back from the US and will practise at Melbourne Park this week.

Philippoussis has not played on the ATP Tour since he tore ligaments in his right knee during last January's Hopman Cup. He returned to competition in the over-30s circuit in the US last month but will be given a protected ranking of 122 when he enters his next pro tournament.

He has been training with Andre Agassi's fitness coach Gil Reyes in Nevada and will now work with Davis Cup coach Darren Cahill.

Philippoussis will notice the difference at Melbourne Park since his last visit at the 2006 Australian Open, with all but five of the 31 courts covered in the new two-tone blue surface.

It is the biggest change in the Australian Open since the event moved from the Kooyong grass to Rebound Ace in 1988.