Naomi Osaka insisted her initial focus was not on winning the Australian Open despite a change in expectations.
Osaka, 21, enters the year's first grand slam after a stellar 2018 that included winning the U.S. Open in September.
The Japanese star had not gone beyond the fourth round of a major before that run, having made the last 16 in Melbourne last year.
Asked about her expectations, Osaka said it was best not to think too far ahead.
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"I have to take it one step at a time. No one wants to lose in the first round of a slam, I think. That would be my immediate goal," she told a news conference on Saturday.
"From there, I've been in the third round 100 million times already. That would be my next goal. Hopefully semis after that. Then I can think about, like, the finals and winning.
"There's so many good players in this draw, I know that everyone wants to win this tournament. My first, immediate thought isn't to win."
What did Naomi Osaka get up to in the offseason?
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 12, 2019
"I had a notebook, so every night before bed I would write jokes so I can present them to you guys."
Journalist: can you give us one?
"That was a joke, I'm sorry."
pic.twitter.com/sBOzSMNPLg
Osaka will face Magda Linette in the first round, and her only previous meeting with her ended in a three-set defeat in Washington last year.
The world No. 4 recalled that encounter and said making fewer mistakes would be a key.
"It was the first match of my three-match losing streak. I thought that she played really well. She's a very consistent player. She doesn't really miss balls," Osaka said.
"At the time it was sort of me that was making a lot of unforced errors. I think that's something that I need to keep in mind the next time I play her, which is on Tuesday.
"I feel like I have to practice a lot of returns and stuff."