Advantage Ferrell as Will lightens mood

MELBOURNE - American actor and comedian Will Ferrell isn't just at the Australian Open this week for the tennis. He also came to (jokingly) announce his retirement from acting.

"I have kind of done all the movies I want to do. It's a great way to go out," Ferrell told the media at Melbourne Park on Thursday.

It was just one of several lighthearted moments during an unusual news conference with former No 1 Jim Courier that felt more like an impromptu comedy club routine.

Among the wackier revelations by the Anchorman and Blades of Glory star:

- Roger Federer seemed "a little bit afraid of me" during Ferrell's surprise on-court interview with the Swiss star following his first-round match at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.

- Taylor Swift is the best tennis player in Hollywood, followed closely by Rihanna.

- And wombat doesn't taste like chicken. It's more of a "sinewy, tough meat".

All jokes aside, Ferrell said he's a big tennis fan and was invited by an Aussie pal to come watch the tournament. He's checked out a few matches, including Federer's first-round victory over Aljaz Bedene and Caroline Wozniacki's dramatic comeback win over Jana Fett after saving two match points at 1-5 down in the third set.

"I think it just shows the mental side of the game and how she was able to kind of draw on her experience," Ferrell said. "It's funny how, when a less-experienced player is up 5-1 in the final set, the pressure is on them to close it out."

Ferrell also revealed that he was considering playing the role of Bobby Riggs in a film about the famous 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match between Riggs and Billie Jean King, but that a competing project headlined by Steve Carell was already filming.

"I would have loved to (have played Riggs)," Ferrell said. "I think he was a fascinating character."

He's also a fan of Australia after his visit, though he has one piece of advice for the country: "I think driving on the wrong side of the road needs to be switched.

"It's very difficult to drive over here, for me. That's probably an easy thing to fix, right?"

Associated Press