MELBOURNE, Jan 13: Australian Open sixth seed Martina Hingis played down expectations on Saturday as she returned to the arena where she snared three of her five Grand Slams and staged a remarkable comeback last year.

The 26-year-old Swiss was wary about the young challengers emerging on the women's circuit, although she admitted centre court felt like a home ground after a training hit-out.

“I'm not talking about titles or anything like that,” she said. “I'm really just happy to have had a great season without injuries; hoping for the same this year.”

However, Hingis acknowledged circumstances were different to last year, where she made it to the quarter-finals despite being unseeded after a three-year lay-off. “You always have hopes, definitely,” she said. “I didn't want to put pressure on myself last year, I'm going to do the same thing this year. (But) being the No.6 seed, the top 10, you definitely have certain expectations.”

The world No.7 has had mixed fortunes in the lead-up to the season-opening Grand Slam.

She made it to the final of the Australian Women's Hardcourt championship on the Gold Coast but was overpowered by Dinara Safina, and then Jelena Jankovic dumped her out of the Sydney International in the first round.

She said there were plenty of other young players these days who could trouble her. —AFP