Tennis: Aussie Open is Federer's sole goal

Swiss great Roger Federer says he has not set any goals for this year beyond defending his Australian Open title.

The Melbourne major is the only grand slam event in which Federer remains the reigning champion, after world No.1 Rafael Nadal won last year's French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

But asked whether he had set himself a goal such as winning a certain number of grand slam events this year, 16-time major winner Federer said at this stage his only focus was on winning at Melbourne Park over the next fortnight.

"I try to see this period here just trying to defend my Australian Open title, trying to play really well," Federer said on Saturday.

"The last couple of weeks was just trying to stay injury-free really, being fresh, ready and motivated and ready to play, because I played so much down the stretch at the end of last year.

"After the Australian Open, I'll have some good time off ... that is where I think I'll really start thinking about the rest of the season.

"So in essence my focus is purely on the Australian Open right now, and then I'll go for the rest after that."

Federer, a four-time winner in Melbourne, said the event would always hold special meaning for him.

"The Australian Open is huge in terms of many reasons: I've had coaches from here, I used to come on vacation here back in '95 or '94, I always had great times here," he said.

"I never had a bad tournament here in Australia, I loved my first time here as a junior back in '98.

"Obviously the great memories from being here and playing some epic matches also, let's say, in Davis Cup with Lleyton (Hewitt), the finals here with Rafa, or the semi with (Marat) Safin that I lost here.

"I've had some amazing matches here. This is also where I got to world No. 1 in 2004. It's been an amazing tournament for me really."

- AAP