David Ferrer doesn't yet think he is a tennis legend - but the people of Auckland would beg to differ.

Rafael Nadal is absent but he will be one of those watching closely as a new element enters men's grand slam tennis at the Australian Open - timekeeping.

If some of the Big Four are showing signs of peaking it may be time for some of the younger brigade to announce their intentions of sitting at the top table.

They are an extremely rare sight today - near extinct - but in past decades, Kiwis regularly featured in the Australian Open main draw.

David Ferrer has joined Australian great Roy Emerson as the most successful player in the history of the Heineken Open.

Ferrer and Kohlschreiber already have a Heineken Open to their credit, and both will feel at home on Stanley St's centre court.

With his leaping volleys, behind-the-back blocks and through-the-legs swats, Gael Monfils has the full bag of tricks.

The history books may eventually record the name David Ferrer as the Auckland men's tennis open's most successful player, but the pursuit of that goal isn't exactly causing the redoubtable Spaniard to lose any sleep.