As early as 15 years ago, the Australian Open was considered the poor sister of the Grand Slams. It was a Grand Slam by name only. Looking back at Australian Open history doesn't mean nearly as much as the others, because everybody always played the U.S. Open, the French Open and Wimbledon.

In the '60s, '70s, and '80s, many top players didn't play in Melbourne. That has completely changed in the last decade. The Australian Open is now a legitimate, full-fledged Grand Slam that will be close to a sellout every day this year. Next year I believe it will become more like the other Grand Slams, where buying a ticket is a nightmare.

The changing temperatures and the heat index can be major players in Australia. Heat is a bigger factor at the Australian Open than anywhere else. There can be 14 days of great weather too, but usually there are at least a few days of excruciating heat.

One of the big storylines on the men's side continues to be the play of Andre Agassi. I'm always wrong about Agassi. Three years ago, when Agassi was ranked in the low 100s in the world and started to make his comeback, I did not think he would return to the top three in the world -- and he made it back to No. 1.

Agassi finished the 1999 season in wonderful condition; I've never seen him in better shape. I don't know what he has been doing the last three or four weeks since losing to Sampras at the ATP World Championships, but if he is in the same shape, then he will be a factor all year.

Here's how I would rank the players to watch in the men's field for the Australian Open:

Players to watch
1. Pete Sampras: He is the best player in the world by 20 percent. It's not an easy tournament for him to win because of the heat. I don't think he is in the same shape as some of the other players, and that always has hurt him in Australia. But he is still the class of the field.

2. Andre Agassi: The No. 1 seed isn't the favorite as long as Sampras is in Melbourne. At the World Championships last month, Sampras let him know he is still the boss. But I expect the Agassi resurgence to continue. I think we could be in for another Sampras-Agassi rivalry situation that we had four or five years ago. I look forward to it and hope it happens.

3. Todd Martin: Martin got to the final of the U.S. Open last year, and I think he could be a more serious contender in Australia this year. He had a strong season in '99 and should have another one, barring injuries.

4. Yevgeny Kafelnikov: He may be the defending champion and the No. 2 seed, but unless the whole jigsaw falls exactly his way, he is usually not a factor. I don't expect him to be a factor this year.

5. Marcelo Rios: He is so unpredictable, yet such a talented player with such a strange mind. You never know with him. But based on talent, he would be my fifth choice. It depends on his mood.

Others
Lleyton Hewitt: The 18-year-old Australian just won the Australian hardcourt tournament, but I would like him anyway.

Mark Philippoussis: After his Davis Cup effort against the French in the final, I like him -- plus, he's also healthy.

Carlos Moya: The Spaniard, who is unseeded this year, is capable of making a comeback and being a factor in the tournament.

ESPN's Cliff Drysdale will be working as a tennis commentator at the Australian Open.