FORMER world No. 1 Novak Djokovic has done his best to lower expectations ahead of the 2018 Australian Open.

It will be Djokovic’s comeback tournament after elbow surgery forced him off the court for six months.

Djokovic conceded his elbow still wasn’t 100 per cent, but he was confident — especially after his win over Dominic Thiem at Kooyong on Wednesday — his body would see him through the tournament.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN LIVE DRAW COVERAGE

“So far the process has been going in a good direction. That’s all I can say,” Djokovic said.

“I played against the No.5 in the world. Yes, it wasn’t an official match, but it was best of three (sets). And I’m happy with that.

“Ideally you’d want to have a tournament leading up to the Australian Open, especially after a six-month absence from the tour, but it is the way it is. I’m happy I have a chance to be here.”

Novak Djokovic was unveiled as the ASICS brand ambassador. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Despite this, Djokovic said his mindset would change once he returned to Melbourne Park, where he has been the last man standing a record six times.

“If I get to play I always have expectations on myself because of the records that I have had over the last decade in the tennis world, especially here at Rod Laver Arena,” Djokovic said.

“It has probably been my most successful tournament in the world. Hopefully I’ll be fit to be able to perform well.

“I believe in myself and trust my own abilities. God willing, I’ll be healthy and play as far as I can go.”

A new-look team that includes Radek Stepanek and fitness coach Marco Panichi has assembled around Djokovic, who has dropped to No. 14 in the world rankings.

An at-times spiritual Djokovic said his six-month absence from the tour had given him greater clarity about what he wanted to achieve personally and professionally.

“I’m really happy with the team I have around me,” Djokovic said.

“If you’re content with the current state and you don’t want to change that, that’s fine. But in order to fight for the top you need to improve every single day.

Don’t miss a thing this summer. Follow Fox Sports Tennis on Facebook.

“You know that other players will do the same. If you’re not keeping up, you’re falling behind. There’s either progression or regression.

“I’m not the same player that I was in ‘11 or ‘15 when I was winning three of the four slams. I’m not worse now, not better. I’m just a different player, a different person.”

While Djokovic remains a hot contender with the bookies, the 30-year-old suggested old foes Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were the men to beat.

“I’m flattered that people see me as one of the favourites for this tournament,” Djokovic said.

“But I have to take a step back and be humble.



“I consider myself on the same starting line as everyone else.”