MELBOURNE — Novak Djokovic says meditating has helped him overcome fear and stress that comes with playing elite tennis.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion, 30, says he often turned to the practice during his long spell out of the game last year with elbow trouble.

The Serb former world No.1 is playing in his first tournament since Wimbledon in July and he has a brand new support team, headed by eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi as coach.

Djokovic said after reaching the fourth round of the year’s opening Grand Slam Saturday that he now meditates on a daily basis.

“Yes, I do. I’ll tell you what. I don’t want to tell you what I gain with it, but I’ll tell what I lose with it,” he said.

“I lose fear. I lose anxiety. I lose stress. I guess, in the end of the day, that’s what you’re looking for.”

Djokovic has become involved in meticulous off-the-court preparation in recent years. He has a strict, gluten-free diet and is an advocate for well-being.

The new year has given him the opportunity to analyze aspects of his game and preparation.

“When it comes to tennis, I obviously was excited to analyze my game,” he said.

“First of all, I wanted to get the right team of people around me, experts in their field, so they can contribute to the process and the journey of working on my body and my game.

“Improving different aspects that are there to be worked on. Thankfully there is always something to work on.”

Djokovic said apart from tennis he has always looked at ways to improve himself, which he terms his “philosophy of life”.

“It has always been, not just for tennis, but in general there’s always something that you can improve and get better at as a person and as a player,” he said.

“That’s probably the most exciting thing about life, is that every day is a new opportunity for you to get better.”

Djokovic faces South Korea’s “NextGen” star Chung Hyeon in Monday’s round of 16.

Federer serves up warning

Roger Federer says he is regaining the rhythm and consistency of his silky serve following his recovery from a back injury as he steps up the defense of his Australian Open title.

The Swiss maestro moved into the last 16 with a commanding straight sets win over Frenchman Richard Gasquet Saturday with his serving game a feature.

Federer was struck down with back trouble last year when he lost to Alexander Zverev in the final of the Montreal Masters and subsequently withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters.

But on the evidence of his form in the year’s opening Grand Slam in Melbourne, he looks back to his serving best.

The 36-year-old said the renewed freedom in his back was contributing to the improvement in his serving.

“Just the back being fine again,” Federer said after beating Gasquet.

“The problem is, when you have back issues, when you’re scared or you don’t have the confidence in your body.”

Federer said serving consistency was a big thing in top-level tennis of fine margins between players.

“Can you serve like this for five hours? That’s the goal. When you’re carrying an injury, clearly it’s tougher,” he said.

Federer enters the second week of the Australian Open with a round of 16 encounter against erstwhile training partner, Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics. — Agencies