Brisbane: Roger Federer arrived in Australia on Saturday for the Brisbane International injury-free and with a refreshed attitude for 2014.
Federer, who will use the Brisbane event as his only warm-up tournament ahead of the Australian Open, says "it's the first time in a year that I could practice three, four weeks in a row without any setbacks ... I was able to do more than I thought which is very encouraging."
The Australian Open, which Federer has won four times, begins Jan. 13 in Melbourne.
The Brisbane tournament, also a WTA event which includes Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, begins Sunday.
The Hopman Cup, part of the Australian Open Series, begins later Saturday with matches including Canada's Eugenie Bouchard against Sam Stosur of Australia in the mixed teams event.