Serena, Djokovic top Aussie Open seeds

The 28-year-old, who missed the US Open last year because of a leg injury, was among a quartet of top players who were a doubt for Melbourne because of nagging ailments.

World number one Serena Williams insists she is fit and ready for a tilt at a seventh Australian Open title, downplaying a knee injury that forced her out of the Hopman Cup.

The American will begin as favourite for next week’s Australian Open, despite slight concerns over a niggling knee injury, but Evert believes she can not afford the slow starts to matches that were a feature of 2015.

Tennis ace Maria Sharapova has regained her fitness and is set to play in the first Major of the year – Australian Open, scheduled to start from next week.

Serena Williams’ preparation for the Australian Open is more about her mental makeup than her ailing left knee.

Sharapova has opted against playing in any warm-up tournaments but she stressed she is fully fit ahead of Melbourne.

While she is used to lengthy breaks as she manages her schedule, Evert says Williams will find it increasingly tough to keep the chasing pack at bay, particularly the likes of a rejuvenated Victoria Azarenka.

“She’s got to be one of the two or three favourites for winning the Australian Open”.

The Scot lost to Djokovic in last year’s final at Melbourne Park and in the 2011 and 2013 title-deciders.

“I think she’s a player we should be talking about and focusing on right now”, Evert said.

But despite being included in the same category as Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open, it took the Australian (or Australasian as it was referred to up until 1926) Open more than 80 years before really being able to field all the best players in the world. That day I felt I had everything to beat her. If I believe when I play her, it’ll be okay – if not, I have no chance.