Fighting-fit Federer arrives ready for action in Melbourne

The Swiss world number one, ready to follow-on from a fourth consecutive season of world dominating excellence, will use the coming days to get acclimatized to the new Plexicushion courts at Melbourne Park, which is replacing two decades of Rebound Ace.

 In addition, he will hone his razor-sharp skills in high-level match play at the elite eight-man AAMI Classic starting Tuesday at Kooyong club.

 "I feel fresh, I feel fit, motivated and I think that's the key," Federer said after spending much of December at his hot weather training base in Dubai.

 "It's always a thrill when the year kicks off, after the Australian Open you have a lot of answers.

 "I'm arriving as early as possible, getting to know the surface, getting to know the different climate again here ... getting used to the heat again."

   Federer stands just two Grand Slam titles from levelling the all-time 14 held by Pete Sampras. He has won three per season over the past two seasons in an historic burst of excellence

   The 26-year-old is pointing this season to the one major he has never won, the French Open, as well as a Beijing Olympic medal and hopeful trophy repeats in Melbourne, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows.

"I'm really excited," he said. "French Open, Olympics, Wimbledon, I've got a lot of things coming my way this year."