Maria Sharapova is hoping a more relaxed approach to the new season could yield rewards in the grand slam events.

The world number four took three months off as she struggled with injuries after suffering a semi-final elimination at Wimbledon in 2015.

However, upon her return she charged to the final four of the WTA finals and impressed during the Fed Cup.

Sharapova is keen to tackle this campaign in a measured manner, with her sights largely set on the top competitions – including the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

"I think it will be one of those years where I'll just have to go with the flow and even though you have to commit to a certain schedule and work around a few things, I think I'm really just dedicating myself to the really important events," the Russian said.

"I look at my schedule and do that every single year, but just with the Olympics, it's in a very tricky spot just after two grand slams back to back.

"After the Fed Cup I said that I'll take a little bit of time off after the Australian summer, but you never know how things are going to pan out, so I'll see how it goes.

"I took a lot of positives out of the end of last year, especially the Fed Cup weekend, and it was just great to mentally feel like I was back on the court, withstanding such physical matches and getting through them and feeling really confident and healthy."

Sharapova begins the year with the defence of her Brisbane International title and is hopeful of achieving glory once again.

"I'm not good at comparing, but every year you feel like you're in a different position and in different ground," she added.

"I came here [last year] not as defending champion and now I have a title to defend which is a really special feeling and I played some really high quality tennis. As you return to that place and that centre court you always want to relive those memories."