Leadup
Several leading men's players declined to attend the Open due to injury, including Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and defending champion Marat Safin.
The women's tournament fared much better, with no absentees among the top 20 ranked players.
It was Martina Hingis' first grand slam event in her comeback to the game. Lindsay Davenport and Serena Williams were among those who welcomed her return to the circuit as a positive step forward for women's tennis.
Read more about this topic: 2006 Australian Open