Hewitt confident

Hewitt missed the final month of this season through injury but believes it will work in his favour since most of the world's top players are fatigued after a gruelling schedule that included Masters tournaments in Madrid and Paris, and the Masters Cup in Shanghai.

"I'm going to be a lot fresher than [Roger] Federer," said the former world number one.

"Even when you look at [Novak] Djokovic, [Rafael] Nadal and [Nikolay] Davydenko, they were getting tired at the Masters Cup so I'm going to be a lot fresher than those guys, but I've just got to try and get some matches under my belt."

The world number 21 annually carries the weight of his country's expectation of a first home Australian Open champion since Mark Edmondson in 1976, but his best result in Melbourne is a final appearance in 2005, when he lost to Russian Marat Safin

Hewitt has struggled with injury and a lack of focus in recent years but has joined up with compatriot Tony Roche, who helped Federer to six Grand Slam titles, in a bid to climb back up the rankings.

"It's long hours trying to get the miles in my legs but also working on specific areas," the 26-year-old continued. "The hard work's probably been done up until now and the next week or so and then try and taper off a bit more."

Hewitt also confirmed that he is keen to play in the Beijing Olympics in August despite their proximity to the US Open, a title he lifted in 2001.

"At the moment I'd look forward to playing hopefully singles and doubles with Paul Hanley [in Beijing]," Hewitt said. "I feel like we've got a great opportunity of winning a medal.

"Grand Slams for a tennis player are the priority and we have the US Open about a week after the Olympics. It's fortunate it's on the same surface but it is a lot of flying, a lot of travel and you've got to still have enough in the tank."

Hewitt will warm up for the Australian Open, which begins on January 14, at the Sydney International.