WATCH: Anderson trains at Melbourne Park

Cape Town - South Africa’s No 1 tennis player, Kevin Anderson, is raring to go ahead of the Australian Open which starts in Melbourne next week.

READ: Anderson to repeat US Open heroics Down Under?

Anderson, the current world No 11, missed last year’s Australian Open due to injury, but made a surge up the rankings upon his return to action in 2017.

He reached the US Open final before losing to world No 1 Rafael Nadal.

Anderson also started 2018 strong, reaching the final of the Maharashtra Open in Pune, India last week, before losing to Frenchman Gilles Simon.

On Wednesday, Anderson lost 4-6, 6-3, 3-6 to Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis at the Kooyong Classic exhibition event in Melbourne but was quick to return to the practice courts.

He tweeted a picture of his training session at Melbourne Park, the site of the year’s first Grand Slam which starts next Monday.

I’ve missed you Melbourne ?? It was tough being away last year, but feels good to be back on these blue courts @AustralianOpen #ausopen ???? pic.twitter.com/OzY7eACNgt

— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) January 9, 2018