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Speaking after arriving on Thursday for Saturday's opener in the mixed teams Hopman Cup, where he and Samantha Stosur are top seeds, Hewitt said he had overcome the injuries that have plagued him in recent years and was in peak condition for the Open in late January.
Hewitt, a dual grand slam winner, slipped out of the top 100 early this year as he battled his way back from a major hip problem, but during 2009 clawed his way up the rankings to finish the season at 22.
The 28-year-old Australian has never made a secret of his burning desire to claim his home grand slam and although many believe the veteran's chance has passed - his loss to Marat Safin in an epic 2005 final his best effort - Hewitt said he was ready to make a major impact in Melbourne.
"A lot depends on the draw. At least I will be seeded and hopefully I get a smooth passage through," he said of his Australian Open prospects.
"If I can get through the first week and put myself in a position in the second week, there is no reason I can't do some damage.
"I feel as fit and strong as I have ever been and I am hitting the ball well at the moment.
"If the body holds up, there is no reason I can't give all these guys a run."
Hewitt has been working with a fitness trainer from Sydney and said he had been building towards the Australian summer for the last three months, having not played since early October.
"Fitness-wise I am as good as I have ever been... I feel really good.
"I have been doing the hard yards on and off the practice court and have a good team behind me and we feel like we have done everything right.
"It is a matter now of going out there... I have been waiting the last three months to get out on the court and play these tournaments and get into it," said Hewitt.
"Melbourne in a couple of weeks' time is the big one that you want to be peaking for."
Hewitt dismissed suggestions his best tennis was behind him, pointing out that he was highly competitive in the grand slams this year.
"This year in the majors it took the best guys to beat me," he said.
"I lost a tight one to Gonzales, and then (Andy) Roddick, (Rafael) Nadal and (Roger) Federer are the other three that beat me in the grand slams.
"If I keep putting myself in that position things will turn around."
Hewitt and Stosur open their Hopman Cup campaign against Romanians Sorana Cirstea and Victor Hanescu on Saturday.
