Not even Roddick has any worries about the sickness Roger Federer is suffering, which is limiting him the buildup to defending the Australian Open title.

Federer grumble of a stomach virus on this past weekend and he decided not to compete the Kooyong exhibition tournament which he use it as the preparation for the Grand Slam event of the season.

"None of us will be losing sleep over it," Roddick joked at a news conference Tuesday. Roddick beat Federer in the final of Kooyong last past year, which was two days before the Open of Australia started.

Roger Federer also succeeds in the U.S Open and Wimbledon, and in the present he has 12 Grand Slam titles, closer to the world records of Pete Sampras with 2 minus.

The Swiss star, was substituted in the Kooyong draw by Marcos Baghdatis. Also in the invitation-only field is Fernando Gonzalez (Australian Open runner-up 2007), Andy Murray, Nikolav Davydenko, former champion Marat Safin, , David Nalbandian, Ivan Liubicic and Tommy Haas.

Safin alleged it could be a delay for any player participating into a Grand Slam tournament lacking a match. Yet two weeks, he said, can positionate a player in disadvantage.

Roger Federer has not participated a tournament since winning the Masters Cup at Shanghai that was this past November.

In any circumstances, Andy Roddick disbelief it would be too negative for Federer's game. Usually, "It seems to be a good formula for him to come here and play and go beat up on the rest of us next week," Roddick said. The illness "is certainly not going to be of help, but if there's anyone who can probably take care of himself and play his way into form, it's Roger."

For the other side, Hewitt, who is participating in the Sydney International this week said : “Between the French Open and Wimbledon, he didn't have any matches either and it didn't worry him too much, he's a good enough player that he's going to get through his first few rounds and that's probably all he's going to need to get his eye in."

The sketch for the Australian Open will be complete Friday, and the competition will begin Monday.

Federer is optimism to be continuing practicing on Wednesday or Thursday. “The doctors have advised me that I should take a couple of days off and recuperate so that I am able to be 100 percent for the start of the Australian Open," he said.

Federer ‘s replacement Baghdatis will start the Kooyong tournament Wednesday against Davydenko No.4 ranked, who have been investigated of gambling.