The first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open commenced in Melbourne today with the very best of the best in action, fighting it out on the court for the highest honours.

World number two Roger Federer, on the back of a phenomenal comeback season in 2017, will, of course, be one to watch, however, Federer himself doesn't quite share that same confidence.

Returning from a lengthy injury-laden spell last year, the Swiss maestro secured his fifth Australian Open title - seven years after his last - to take his Grand Slam count to an impressive 18.

He went on to win Wimbledon in the summer as well to further increase his tally to 19.

Nevertheless, Federer is backing Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic as potential favourites to win this term on the hard court Down Under.

Nadal has not contested a match since November due to knee troubles meanwhile Djokovic has been nursing an elbow injury which has forced him to take a six-month sabbatical from competing in the top level.

Speaking on the subject, Sky Sports quoted the 36-year-old saying: “It's totally different.

“I feel like maybe somebody like a Rafa, with the year that he's had, and Novak, with the six titles he's had here, even if it's unknown how he's feeling, they could very well be the favourites, too.”

Giving an insight into his own preparations and expectations for the tournament, Federer remains open to all possibilities and doesn't want to place any unnecessary pressure on himself.

He added: “This year I hope to win the first few rounds and get rolling hopefully, whereas last year I was just hoping to win [a match]. It was more of a 'let's see what happens' kind of tournament, maybe similar to what Novak or Stan (Wawrinka) or others are going through this year.

“If you're in the draw, you give yourself a chance. That's what happened for me last year. And it ended up way better than I thought it would.”

The reigning champion opens his campaign on Tuesday against Slovenian star Aljaz Bedene.

Meanwhile, Nadal has already advanced into the second after beating Victor Estrella Burgos, and Serbian ace Djokovic takes on American Donald Young tomorrow.