An upbeat Caroline Wozniacki said she was relishing returning to the Australian Open as defending champion Sunday and dismissed concerns health problems were affecting her game.

The Dane achieved a career milestone at Melbourne Park to claim her maiden Grand Slam last year, but also revealed she was suffering the debilitating auto-immune condition rheumatoid arthritis.

Wozniacki, 28, insisted there was no extra pressure returning Down Under as the title holder, saying she was treating her upcoming campaign as "a nice, fun challenge".

"I felt comfortable straightaway when I hit balls on that court. It was just a good feeling," she said of her return to Rod Laver Arena, the scene of last year's three-set triumph over world number one Simona Halep.

"Then, you see your photos all over the place, which is cool. So it's definitely great to be back."

Wozniacki seeded third at this year's tournament, said she was carefully managing her arthritis, a condition which sometimes leaves her so exhausted she can barely move her arms.

"For me, it's just all the time making sure I get good massaging, good treatments, ice baths, stretching, do everything even more thoroughly than maybe in the past," she said.

She added that she had not changed her playing style and had learned to recognise symptoms of arthritis to avoid flare-ups.

"I think especially as an athlete, you're even more aware of it. You know your body even better," she said.&nbsp;

"It's kind of hard to put into words, but I can definitely tell the difference whether it's just soreness from training or soreness from that (arthritis)."

She said the pre-season routine was unchanged, aside from some extra gym work to keep in shape before training began in earnest.

After such a rollercoaster 2018, Wozniacki said she needed "to leave the racquet behind for a while" during the off-season, recharging her batteries in the Maldives and the Virgin Islands.

The avid Liverpool fan also visited the less sunny climes of Anfield to see her beloved team in action, indulging in the local fare after cheering Jurgen Klopp's men on to victory.

"They have great burgers right outside. There's a huge line outside one of them... they had fries, all sorts of stuff," she said.&nbsp;

"I was like, 'we have to try it while we're here'. It was really, really good."

Wozniacki begins her tournament on Monday against Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium, ranked 51st in the world, a player she described as "tricky" and aggressive.

"I have to go in and play aggressive myself, get a lot of returns back, serve well, make her move," she said.

An upbeat Caroline Wozniacki said she was relishing returning to the Australian Open as defending champion Sunday and dismissed concerns health problems were affecting her game.

An upbeat Caroline Wozniacki said she was relishing returning to the Australian Open as defending champion Sunday and dismissed concerns health problems were affecting her game. The Dane achieved a career milestone at Melbourne Park to claim her maiden Grand Slam last year, but also revealed she was suffering the debilitating auto-immune condition rheumatoid arthritis. Wozniacki, 28, insisted there was no extra pressure returning Down Under as the title holder, saying she was treating her upcoming campaign as "a nice, fun challenge". "I felt comfortable straightaway when I hit balls on that court. It was just a good feeling," she said of her return to Rod Laver Arena, the scene of last year's three-set triumph over world number one Simona Halep. "Then, you see your photos all over the place, which is cool. So it's definitely great to be back." Wozniacki seeded third at this year's tournament, said she was carefully managing her arthritis, a condition which sometimes leaves her so exhausted she can barely move her arms. "For me, it's just all the time making sure I get good massaging, good treatments, ice baths, stretching, do everything even more thoroughly than maybe in the past," she said. She added that she had not changed her playing style and had learned to recognise symptoms of arthritis to avoid flare-ups. "I think especially as an athlete, you're even more aware of it. You know your body even better," she said. "It's kind of hard to put into words, but I can definitely tell the difference whether it's just soreness from training or soreness from that (arthritis)." She said the pre-season routine was unchanged, aside from some extra gym work to keep in shape before training began in earnest. After such a rollercoaster 2018, Wozniacki said she needed "to leave the racquet behind for a while" during the off-season, recharging her batteries in the Maldives and the Virgin Islands. The avid Liverpool fan also visited the less sunny climes of Anfield to see her beloved team in action, indulging in the local fare after cheering Jurgen Klopp's men on to victory. "They have great burgers right outside. There's a huge line outside one of them... they had fries, all sorts of stuff," she said. "I was like, 'we have to try it while we're here'. It was really, really good." Wozniacki begins her tournament on Monday against Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium, ranked 51st in the world, a player she described as "tricky" and aggressive. "I have to go in and play aggressive myself, get a lot of returns back, serve well, make her move," she said.

Caroline Wozniacki upbeat ahead of Australian Open defence

Seven times champion Serena Williams will be back at the Australian Open in 2019 having missed her title defence this year after giving birth, organisers said Tuesday.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner, who won on her last appearance in 2017 while pregnant, will be joined in January's tournament by double Melbourne Park champion Victoria Azarenka who was forced to withdraw from the 2018 event because of a custody battle with her baby's father.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said Tuesday he was expecting a full contingent of the top 100 men and women players in Melbourne next year.

"I'm delighted to announce that Serena Williams will return to the Australian Open in January," Tiley said while launching the 2019 event at Rod Laver Arena.

"We last saw Serena here in Melbourne as our champion, holding the Daphne Ackhurst Memorial Cup in 2017. Of course what we didn't know at the time was that she was already eight weeks pregnant with baby Olympia," said Tiley.

Williams needs one more Grand Slam singles victory to equal Australian Margaret Court's all-time record of 24.

"Serena loves coming to Melbourne and I know she's excited about returning in January with her family, it's definitely a very special place for her," said Tiley.&nbsp;

"She'll also be super-focused on winning here, and equalling Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles."

Tiley said the tournament was gearing up to welcome back Azarenka and Williams -- and their children.&nbsp;

"Vika (Azarenka) is also a new mum to toddler Leo and I'm looking forward to showing her, and Serena, our new creche facilities," said Tiley. "I'm sure they'll be appreciated."

Six-time men's winners Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, who captured his 20th Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January, look to be among the players to beat again in 2019.

Tiley was also looking forward to the return of Britain's Andy Murray, the five-time losing finalist who missed this year's tournament with injury.

"With his incredible work ethic and competitive spirit it would be foolish to underestimate him," he said of the Scot.&nbsp;

Tiley said prize money at the January 14-27 tournament will be increased to Aus$60.5 million ($42.9 million) from Aus$55 million in 2018 -- split equally between men's and women's tournaments.

The 2018 singles winners Federer and Caroline Wozniacki both picked up cheques for Aus$4 million ($2.83 million).

The tournament will also introduce a 25-second serve clock to speed up play, after the innovation made its Slam debut at this year's US Open.

"The 25-second serve clock will be introduced for all matches," said Tiley.&nbsp;

"We know there's a move to speed up play and we'll continue to work with the players on the best ways to do this."

Seven times champion Serena Williams will be back at the Australian Open in 2019 having missed her title defence this year after giving birth, organisers said Tuesday.

Seven times champion Serena Williams will be back at the Australian Open in 2019 having missed her title defence this year after giving birth, organisers said Tuesday. The 23-time Grand Slam winner, who won on her last appearance in 2017 while pregnant, will be joined in January's tournament by double Melbourne Park champion Victoria Azarenka who was forced to withdraw from the 2018 event because of a custody battle with her baby's father. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said Tuesday he was expecting a full contingent of the top 100 men and women players in Melbourne next year. "I'm delighted to announce that Serena Williams will return to the Australian Open in January," Tiley said while launching the 2019 event at Rod Laver Arena. "We last saw Serena here in Melbourne as our champion, holding the Daphne Ackhurst Memorial Cup in 2017. Of course what we didn't know at the time was that she was already eight weeks pregnant with baby Olympia," said Tiley. Williams needs one more Grand Slam singles victory to equal Australian Margaret Court's all-time record of 24. "Serena loves coming to Melbourne and I know she's excited about returning in January with her family, it's definitely a very special place for her," said Tiley. "She'll also be super-focused on winning here, and equalling Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles." Tiley said the tournament was gearing up to welcome back Azarenka and Williams -- and their children. "Vika (Azarenka) is also a new mum to toddler Leo and I'm looking forward to showing her, and Serena, our new creche facilities," said Tiley. "I'm sure they'll be appreciated." Six-time men's winners Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, who captured his 20th Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January, look to be among the players to beat again in 2019. Tiley was also looking forward to the return of Britain's Andy Murray, the five-time losing finalist who missed this year's tournament with injury. "With his incredible work ethic and competitive spirit it would be foolish to underestimate him," he said of the Scot. Tiley said prize money at the January 14-27 tournament will be increased to Aus$60.5 million ($42.9 million) from Aus$55 million in 2018 -- split equally between men's and women's tournaments. The 2018 singles winners Federer and Caroline Wozniacki both picked up cheques for Aus$4 million ($2.83 million). The tournament will also introduce a 25-second serve clock to speed up play, after the innovation made its Slam debut at this year's US Open. "The 25-second serve clock will be introduced for all matches," said Tiley. "We know there's a move to speed up play and we'll continue to work with the players on the best ways to do this."

Serena confirmed for eighth Australian Open title tilt

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Caroline Wozniacki upbeat ahead of Australian Open defence

Serena confirmed for eighth Australian Open title tilt