Summary Novak Djokovic will begin his Australian Open title defence against Chung Hyeon today (Monday).
MELBOURNE (AFP) - Novak Djokovic will begin his Australian Open title defence against South Korea s Chung Hyeon on Monday, while women s champion Serena Williams returns from injury gunning for a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam crown.
Roger Federer is also in action as the season s first Grand Slam tournament gets underway in what are forecast to be sweltering temperatures of up to 37 Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit) at Melbourne Park.
Top seed Djokovic will probably not be delayed too long in the heat against South Korea s highly-rated but inexperienced Chung after the Serb dominated the men s circuit in 2015.
All eyes are on the world number one after he fell just one win short of a calendar-year Grand Slam in 2015, and became the first player to top $16 million in prize money in a season.
This year, the first ever men s "Golden Slam" -- the four majors plus the Olympic title -- is up for grabs, but Djokovic was at pains to play down soaring expectations.
"It s only the beginning of the season. It s too early to talk about what I can or can t do later in the season. I m here to focus on Australian Open," he said.
While Djokovic is the runaway men s favourite, Williams arrives under an injury cloud after she pulled out of this month s Hopman Cup exhibition tournament with an inflamed left knee.
Williams has not played a tour-level match since September, when a heartbreaking US Open semi-final defeat to Roberta Vinci left her agonisingly short of her own calendar-year Grand Slam.
The American great was noticeably downbeat when she addressed media in Melbourne on Saturday, but she insisted she was "130 percent" ready to defend her title.
"I ve had a really good preparation. I mean, I didn t have the match play that I ve wanted to have. But after playing for so many years on tour, I should be able to, you know, focus on that and the fact that I have played a lot of matches," she said.
Williams, 34, has been handed a tough draw with Italy s Camila Giorgi, the highest ranked non-seed, waiting in the first round and Maria Sharapova potentially looming in the quarters.
Among the evening matches Federer, also 34, opens his quest for a record-extending 18th Grand Slam crown against Georgia s Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Heat could be a major factor at the Australian Open, which takes place at the height of the southern hemisphere summer, and players are bracing themselves for difficult conditions.
"There s been many years here where people have had sort of accidents on court, dehydrated," said Australia s Bernard Tomic.
"It s also something you want to take into consideration. It s very important to be very physically ready and fresh for the match."
