Nadal today opened his campaign to go one step further than 2017, when he lost the Melbourne final to Roger Federer, by thrashing Victor Estrella Burgos 6-1, 6-1, 6-1.

The Spaniard showed no signs of the knee injury that forced him out of the ATP World Tour Finals in November and saw him withdraw from the Brisbane International earlier this month.

And Nadal said afterwards that he had “no problems” with the joint during his 97-minute victory.

“If I don't feel myself ready, I will not be here,” Nadal said.

“So I am happy to be here, happy that I'm on court again.

“Last year have been a long, very good but long season.

“So yeah, let's start another one and try to don't think much about what happened the year before.”

Nadal will now face Leonardo Mayer after the Argentinian beat Nicolas Jarry in straight sets, only his third Australian Open win on his eighth visit.

The world No 1 will be a huge favourite to overcome Mayer, but even facing Estrella Burgos, who is ranked 79 in the world and had only won one previous main draw match in Melbourne, Nadal admitted he had a few nerves jangling around.

“I always have doubts,” Nadal added.

“I said hundred times, I believe that the doubts are good because when you have doubts, it's because you aren't too arrogant, because you have respect for your opponent, because you have respect for the game, and because you don't consider yourself unbelievable good.

“The real thing is I always have doubts, but at the same time I have the confidence that I was ready to start the tournament. That was the case.

“Through to second round.

“That's a positive thing for me.

“I am looking forward to play the next match.”