Roger Federer doesn't think he needs to be in any hurry to break Pete Sampras' Grand Slam record.

Seventh-seeded Andy Roddick will open the tournament on centre court at Melbourne Park, playing Bjorn Rehnquist of Sweden.

He's the highest seeded of the American men. No. 9 James Blake doesn't open until tomorrow, when No. 2 Serena Williams and No. 7 Venus Williams get under way on the women's side.

Equal major titles

Federer is bidding to equal the 14 major titles won by the retired American star by capturing the Australian Open.

The growing perception is that the 27-year-old Swiss will find it harder than any time in recent years to win a major, with Andy Murray joining Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - all 22 or under - among the leading contenders to beat him.

"I want to do well, not only this year but many more years," Federer said yesterday, a day ahead of his first-round match with Italian Andreas Seppi. "I don't feel like this is my last chance to either win ... or pick up a few Slams more easily.

"They never come around easily. Let's not forget who I had to beat on the way."

Nadal is 22 and already has five majors - four straight at Roland Garros and the last at Wimbledon. He also snapped Federer's record 237-week reign atop the rankings last season.

Number 3 Djokovic and No. 4 Murray will both be 22 in May. Federer was closing in on his 22nd birthday when he won Wimbledon in 2003, the first of his 13 major titles.

Federer doesn't think age will start counting against him. He won three of the four majors in three of the last five seasons, twice finishing one match short of a season Grand Slam by losing the French Open final to Nadal.

But he had to wait until the US Open to secure his first major of the last season. He's feeling more confident this year.

"They will be tough to win," he said. "But I know I got the game to do it.

"I know a lot of people are saying this seems like a tough generation right now with Murray, Djokovic, Rafa and everything," Federer said. "I don't think it's that much stronger than when I came about."

Lleyton Hewitt, Australia's only real hope for a second-week run, has a tough start against 11th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez, the 2007 runner-up, tomorrow. Nadal and Murray also have a day off today.

Like Federer, Djokovic starts today. He'll be third match on Rod Laver Arena against Italian Andrea Stoppini.