Novak Djokovic has insisted that he is not looking too far ahead as he prepares for his Australian Open campaign in Melbourne.
The top seed is the favourite to lift the title in a fortnight, but the Serbian is keen to not lose focus by planning for anything other than his first-round clash with Aljaz Bedene on Tuesday.
"I don't think it's nice to talk about the title already now when the tournament hasn't started yet," Djokovic, who has won four Australian Open titles, told reporters.
"There are so many players who are contenders to win the title. Considering the success that I had in my career in this tournament gives me reason and confidence to believe I can go far. But again, you know, I have to start the tournament well.
"It's the beginning of the season. We already have one of the four biggest tournaments in sport, 120 players want to prove that they deserve to be in this tournament, and they have, of course, huge motivation to win against the top players."
Djokovic lost to eventual winner Stanislas Wawrinka in the semi-finals last year.
Callum Mulvihill
