And it just could be Bernard T0mic after he defeated Novak Djokovic at Kooyong yesterday.

The breakthrough win has lifted expectations on the youngest Australian tennis sensation.

But he appears to have the maturity to keep it within himself.

This is the year that he must show Australians that he is ready to take the mantle of Lleyton Hewitt; finally after a decade of Hewitt dominating the male Australian ranks of tennis.

Now Hewitt, the veteran, has some competition.

And the rivalry between the two is simmering.

You can almost say it is intense.

The biggest obstacle Tomic may face however is his father who of course just late in 2008 was fined by Tennis Australia for his attack on an umpire.

Bernard must make his own decisions or it could turn out to be another Jelena Dokic affair.

Dokic made a statement last year at the Open and will be hoping to impress again.

Does she have the guts to do what she did last year again this year?

Jelena is a mystery bet. Another Aussie Sam Stosur is climbing up the ranks rapidly and will be one of the favourites for the Aussies. You’d expect Sam to get through to a quarter final in the Open given her experience and maturity has risen.

Remember those hot summer nights watching the tennis till the early hours of the morning; watching every hard hitting ace and every ‘c’mon’ that Lleyton Hewitt would yell; riding every bump with Jelena Dokic or hoping a young Bernard Tomic or a more experienced Alicia Molik surprise.

There’s so much Aussies love about tennis.

While cricket is our national savior – as we crush the majority of the opposition – tennis we are up against it.

There are only a couple of Aussies that are capable of taking out the Australian Open but the interest is still widely significant in the race to the finals.

We look in awe at the men such as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and can’t believe the power of the Williams sisters – Serena and Venus.

Going to the tennis is a great experience also rather than just watching it on the box.

Sitting in Rod Laver Arena is a unique experience; as is sitting on the outside courts in the sun. There’s the tension involved with the players, the colour of the crowd and the voices of different cultures surrounding you.

Head to Melbourne Park from January 18 for a massive two weeks of tennis.

Woods was a delight on the sporting front that drove thousands to watch him on the golf course.

He is the multi-million dollar man that was the Michael Jordan of golf.

It is clear to see why he has taken the time out on Saturday to write on his website www.tigerwoods.com that he will take an indefinite break from the sport to concentrate on his marriage.

It also not a surprising call after what has been an unforgettable week in the news for Woods.

He crashed his car outside his Florida home.

The accident two weeks ago eventually led to 11 women – including two porn actresses – to come forward and claim affairs with the golfing great, whose $1 billion fortunate has been built on the back of his squeaky-clean image,

“I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children,’’ Woods said in a statement posted.

“I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I’ve done, but I want to do my best to try.

“I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding. What’s most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

“After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.

“Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.’’

Elin Nordegren will stand by Tiger Woods for the sake of their children, US media reports.

Unnamed friends of the 29-year-old told the latest edition of People magazine, out Friday, that Nordegren knew of her husband’s growing list of mistresses but would stay in their five-year-old marriage for the welfare of the couple’s two children

Should the woman leave for her self independence or should she just put up with those hurtful images in her head forever?

I actually don’t know how the woman lives with it.

I have personally witnessed couples who have done this.

They eventually get over it, but there is so much hurt and vigour in the background that the woman attempts not to admit is there.

It is there, particularly with one couple that I know that after 24 years, the pain and hurt that was felt during those initial days after finding out about the humilation – still comes back to haunt them.

Does the man feel any regret, I wonder? Or does he simply reflect and ponder what might’ve been if he hadn’t of got caught?

There are some women that would up and leave at the hint of a kiss with another person. You would think these women would move on and be a lot happier with their own lives – but when there are children involved – it is a different matter.

There are many kids that grow up with divorced parents. But surely it would be much more complicated than if the parents had stayed together.

Tiger Woods has made mistakes that he will literally pay for. But his wife faces even longer consequences that she may not want to admit right now.

And it is understood more mistresses with whom he has had an affair with are set to be revealed in the coming days.

But it’s shattering that yet another sportsperson has given into temptation to tarnish some of his flawless reputation. One of the faces of Gillette’s ‘A best a man can get’, Woods is set to lose out big on sponsorship dollars and maybe half of his share with the future with his wife now looking more in doubt.

That’s a massive price to pay for him but other sportspeople continue to do it.

Australian cricket star Shane Warne, former North Melbourne footy star Wayne Carey, basketball legend Michael Jordan settled in court with his ex for a record amount of money.

Woods’ settlement is expected to be even greater.

But why do these top elite athletes continue to cheat?

Maybe it’s the fact that they have so many fans; they are wanted; and it gets into their heads.

Maybe it’ s also the fact that they have money to burn; not just on one woman but two or three or even more.

Tiger Woods may have done wrong for the world to hear about. But we know that he won’t be the last.

As much of a champion he is, Agassi who recently released his new autobiography ‘Open’, disclosing some hidden truths, makes you wonder what benefit it is coming out with these truths well and truly after his career.

The book chronicles Agassi’s life in tennis after turning pro at 16. He also revealed that he failed a drug test in 1997 after taking crystal meth.

Over his 20-year career as a pro, Agassi reached 15 Grand Slam finals, winning eight and completing the career Grand Slam, something only Rod Laver and Roger Federer have also done. Agassi also won the gold in the 1996 Olympics, making him the only player to achieve a career golden slam. He won over 800 matches, including 60 titles.

Some Australians have compared it to the Wayne Carey book, but this is a little bit different in the fact that it is such a long time since he was playing tennis.

It makes you wonder, is this all for the money? The new book is expected to be a top seller.

He also discloses that he “hated” the sport and told his wife Steffi Graf that he hated the sport on their first date.

It’s a real shame for those admirers of Agassi; all of a sudden those admirers may think otherwise.

With the series locked at one all, the Aussies needed only a draw to retain the urn after their five nil series whitewash of the Poms in Australia, 2006.

Ponting now has the unwanted record of becoming only the second Australia captain - and first since Billy Murdoch way back in 1890 - to lose two Ashes series in England.

Naturally, the critics have already begun the blame game with Ponting and Deputy Vice Captain Mike Hussey wearing the brunt of it all.

Ponting has been heavily criticised in the past for his poor captaincy, which was highlighted in the recent tour of India in which Australia lost comprehensively.

However it has been his decisions in the current tour of England that has seen him in hot water yet again.

Firstly, he chose to go into the final test without a spinner, despite the fact Nathan Hauritz has averaged five wickets a test match this series.

Secondly, his decision to drop teen sensation Phillip Hughes for Shane Watson after only two test matches disrupted the team chemistry and has raised question marks over the future plans for the opening batting position.

Other factors such as Ponting’s erratic bowling changes and persistence with struggling batsmen have also been come under scrutiny.

One of those struggling batsmen include Western Australian Mike Hussey, who continued to be selected despite averaging under 30 in the past two years.

In his own words, Ponting said he was disappointed with his performance as a player and as a captain throughout this Ashes series.

“I’ve never doubted myself on anything I’ve ever done when I’ve had the baggy green cap on,” Ponting said.

“I always get out there and accept challenges the best that I can. I wanted to make a hundred today, to be the last man out.

“I couldn’t do that. As a leader and a captain I wanted to do as well as I possibly could and hopefully be the captain that won here.

“But I haven’t been able to do that either. I’m disappointed with my own performances.”

Australia has now slipped to fourth on the overall test nation rankings.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GN4nrSxegw

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION?

Do you think Ricky Ponting should be replaced as captain of the Australian Cricket side?

Who should be his replacement?

Do you think Mike Hussey should be dropped?

Who should be his replacement?