Woody urges HK fans to behave
Apart from where a certain Michael Chang is concerned, Australian Todd Woodbridge has a good relationship with the Salem Hong Kong Open.
It's nothing personal, but Woodbridge dislikes playing Chang in front of Hong Kong crowds, who are among the Chinese-American's most loyal supporters.
Twice Woodbridge has been beaten by Chang at the Salem Open, including last year, after which the Australian spoke about the frustrations of tackling not only a top-ranked player, but also some fans whom he felt lacked etiquette.
At the time, he said he felt like 'crap' during his 3-6, 4-6 defeat, when pockets of fans cheered whenever he made an error or double-faulted.
'I remember that semi-final last year being particularly difficult,' said Woodbridge. 'It's very tough to play Michael anywhere in the world, but in front of a Hong Kong crowd it makes beating him even harder.' But it has not dampened his enthusiasm for the Hong Kong tournament, at Victoria Park from April 5 to 13.
'Overall, Hong Kong has been good to me,' he said. 'I like the atmosphere at Victoria Park, the intimacy of the crowd to the court.' Woodbridge, who with compatriot Mark Woodforde makes up the world's number one doubles team, is hoping he can continue a recent run of good singles form.
In the first tournament of 1997, he won in Adelaide, his second career singles title. He also reached the final in Memphis, losing in two sets to Chang.
'I've been working hard on my singles, and the times when it all comes together, as it did in Adelaide, are really satisfying,' said Woodbridge.
Woodforde, who teamed up with Woodbridge for a fourth successive Wimbledon doubles title last year, is also playing in Hong Kong.
'I'm really eager to play in Hong Kong this year. I've had a mediocre start to 1997 in singles, and Hong Kong gives me a chance to rebuild my ranking,' said Woodforde.
