Talking to the media on Thursday, he said:
βItβs a bit different this time round for me, being one of the favorites.
Usually I am a dark horse type thing. Now, after the year I have had, I am one of the favorites. Its all new for me as well. This is the first time I have genuinely gone into a slam feeling like Im one of the guys that can really take the trophy and knock on the door.
Last years Australian Open was a triumph for local players. Ashley Barty won the womens title, ending a 44-year wait while Kyrgios and doubles partner Thanassi Kokkinakis took home the mens doubles title.
Kyrgios is currently being followed around by a Netflix crew, filming for his documentary Breaking Point. Their presence may have helped to push Kyrgios to improve his form.
Never lacking in confidence, Kyrgios also added: Ive always been pretty good. .
You know, I was the No 1 junior in the world. I transitioned pretty early. But I just feel like Im so consistent.
That was the main thing [last season], being able to put it in week-in, week-out, with dedication in practice sessions. Just ticking all the boxes. So hopefully the consistency stays there this year.
He also made it known that it was likely that he and Kokkinakis would forgo their doubles title defense should one of them still be in the running in the second week of the Grand Slam.
βWe are singles players at heart, he said.
The doubles grand slam last year was just a flash in the pan, how we were able to do that. We havent had one conversation about doubles yet, about how we are going to approach it, or anything. Were just going to go into it, have some fun, and if we play, we play. If we dont, we dont.