Stanislas Wawrinka plays down contender tag at Australian Open

Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka has claimed that he should not be considered among the favourites to win the Australian Open title this year.

The Swiss number two produced a shock in 2014 to triumph for the first time in a Grand Slam, but he admits that the trio of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are still the men to beat.

"I'm not putting my goal to win a Grand Slam," Wawrinka told ATP.com. "I know I can do it, that's not the question, but it's a long way for that. For me, most important is to be ready for the first match.

"I will still put Rafa, Novak and Roger as the favourites of the tournament. It's going to be interesting because you also have the young generation who is trying to win a Grand Slam. I think it's going to be an [exciting] Australian Open."

Wawrinka faces Marsel Ilhan in the first round on Tuesday.