Djokovic tips Federer to stay top for years

Serbian prodigy Novak Djokovic has tipped world number one Roger Federer to reign the men's ATP tour for a long time and easily retain his Australian Open title in Sunday's final against Chile's Fernando Gonzalez.

"I can't see Gonzalez winning the match although I am sure he will fight hard to give Federer a good run for his money," world number 13 Djokovic told a news conference in Belgrade on Saturday upon his return from Melbourne.

"Federer is virtually invincible and I think he will rule men's tennis for years to come, it will take a monumental effort to depose him," said Djokovic, who was brushed aside by the defending champion in straight sets in the fourth round.

"I think I would have stood a decent chance of progressing to the latter stages of the tournament if I had been drawn against anyone else.

"Federer is too strong and too quick for everyone, he has mastered every shot in tennis to perfection. We have to remind ourselves when we play against him that he too is only human."

Venus Williams withdraws from Australian Open

Venus Williams withdrew from the Australian Open on Wednesday because of an aggravated left wrist injury.

She joins top-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne on the sideline for the first Grand Slam of the season.

Williams told organizers she aggravated the wrist, which kept her from playing in the Hopman Cup mixed teams competition in Perth last week.

Williams had an injury-plagued 2006, playing only two matches after Wimbledon and finishing the year at No. 48 in the rankings.

No. 3-ranked Davydenko fined for negative comments on Sydney tournament

No. 3-ranked Nikolay Davydenko was fined $10,000 for comments he made about the Sydney International tennis tournament after retiring from his first-round match with a foot problem.

After retiring from his match on Wednesday, Davydenko described the Sydney International as "small tournament" that "nobody cares about."

ATP chairman Etienne De Villiers said in a statement that he felt the fine was appropriate for "the comments that were made that not only damaged the very fine tournament in Sydney but also sullies the reputation of our great sport."