Controversy has followed Kyrgios around for much of his career and his conduct on court has often overshadowed his tennis ability.

Wins over Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in 2017 were evidence of his talent, but at 22, the Australian - winner of last week's Brisbane International - recognises that it is "time to mature".

"I think last year there were periods where I was really good and really bad," he said ahead of his Australian Open first-round clash with Rogerio Dutra Silva. "But at the end of the day I just need to know it's a long year.

"I can't expend too much energy on other things. I want to kind of ride the highs, not as high as I usually do. If I lose a match, at the end of the day, it's a tennis match.

"I kind of want to keep it even-keeled throughout the whole year rather than being such a rollercoaster ride.

"I guess right now that's what I'm doing. Brisbane was a great week, but I had to prepare for the Australian Open, and I prepared."

Discussing the additional pressure of a home slam, Kyrgios - who has shaken off the knee problem that bothered him in Brisbane - added: "I feel for me there's pressure wherever I go.

"I'm expected to win a lot of matches. No matter if I'm here, Wimbledon, US Open, it's the same for me.

"I'd like to do well. I'm not going to say quarter-finals, semi-finals, anything like that. I just want to take it one round at a time.

"Everyone started the year hungry. They can play great quality tennis. I don't want to look ahead at all. I want to take care of business one round at a time."