Reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber admits she is still adjusting to the pressure of being world number one.
Kerber snatched the top spot off Serena Williams by winning the US Open in September, seven months after claiming her first grand slam title in Melbourne.
Since reaching the summit, however, Kerber's form has dipped.
She was beaten by Petra Kvitova, Elina Svitolina and Daria Gavrilova - accomplished opponents but all ranked outside the top 10 - during the Asian swing before losing to world number eight Dominika Cibulkova at the last hurdle of the WTA Finals.
Last week in Sydney, she lost her opening match to the talented Russian Daria Kasatkina.
It means Kerber arrives at the Australian Open with question marks hanging not only over her form but her ability to cope with the added weight of expectation.
"It feels good but there is a lot of pressure, as well," Kerber said.
"I have much more things to do. The day's schedule is a little bit tighter than 12 months ago but at the end I'm still trying to do my things like I was doing this before. It's just a number before my name.
"I will try, of course, to stay as long as possible there. But it's a new challenge.
"Everywhere I am going, I go to the restaurant and airport or whatever, it's a little bit bigger than it was before.
"My priority is always to playing tennis and practising and doing my schedule with my tennis, of course.
"I have not many hours for myself but it is important to learn as well in the last few months, that I have to take the hours for me where I can relax."
Kerber opens up against Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko on Monday, hoping for a smoother passage than in last year's first round, when she had to save match point against Japan's Misaki Doi.
It proved a pivotal moment for both the tournament and Kerber's career.
"I think it was the important point for my career," she said. "You never know if I lost the match what happens then."
Kerber never looked back, beating Britain's Johanna Konta in the semi-final before bringing down Serena Williams to clinch the title.
The 28-year-old admits returning to Melbourne Park, the scene of her triumph, has been an emotional experience.
"It was everything. The first day was really special when we was driving through the gates," Kerber said.
"I was walking from the transportation to the locker room where I remember I was sitting like 12 months ago after the final. Nobody was there.
"Now it's a new tournament again and we are starting from zero and everybody is here again to play their best tennis. So I have a lot of good memories."
Source: PA
