After a day or two in the Australian sunshine, Marcos is settling in nicely to his final preparations for the 2009 ATP World Tour and has been talking to the Australian media about his prospects Down Under.
Marcos, who has been training inside Rafter Arena at the new Queensland Tennis Centre ahead of the Brisbane International that starts on Sunday, said: "I feel happy being on court again. I feel fitter than ever."
After a disappointing season marred by injury, Marcos has been working extremely hard with his new team on his physical conditioning and tennis during the off-season in Paris and now believes he is at his fittest since turning professional.
"I just tried to stay positive (during the off-season). I told myself 2008 was a bad year and to forget about it and just try to come back and get to the top 20. Basically my objective is to get to the top five just once in my lifetime.
“I'm pretty happy I'm here, so I'll try to win some matches, and why not to win the tournament? That's my goal.”
Marcos has a tremendous following in Australia, which spurs him on to great success – including a run to the Australian Open final in 2006. "I don't know why it is,” said Marcos. “Maybe because the Greeks and Cypriots here are more into their old country. When they moved here they didn't forget about their home countries."
"I love playing here (in Australia). I don't know why but the people are great - they are friendly and not stressful, it's a pleasure being here. All Australians are pretty cool, pretty nice, I love coming back every year," he said.
Related articles:
Baghdatis Says Injury Behind Him (ABS CBN News - December 30)
Baghdatis Has Eye On Ball (The Age – Decmeber 31)
Rafael Nadal Will Stay No. 1, Says Marcos Baghdatis (The Australian – December 31)
Marcos Baghdatis Hunts Return Win At Rafter Arena (Fox Sports – December 30)
