Finally clinching an elusive Australian Open crown is Andy Murray's main goal for the New Year but the Briton concedes that his hopes of success at Melbourne Park may rest on champion Novak Djokovic having an off-day.

World number one Djokovic holds three of the four grand slam crowns after a dominant 2015 and started the new season with a bang last week, thrashing Rafa Nadal in straight sets to win the Qatar Open.

World number two Murray told reporters in Melbourne on 11 January that he was under few illusions as to the scale of the task. Having lost to Djokovic in last year's final at Melbourne Park and in the 2011 and 2013 title-deciders, Murray is hoping that Djokovic's form lapses this time around.

"You just have to keep trying to learn, watch his matches, try and see if there's any sort of weaknesses there that you can capitalise on," Murray, who also lost a Melbourne Park final to Roger Federer in 2010, told reporters.

"Maybe he has a drop-off, it's very difficult to maintain that level for such a long period. That's all you can do really."

Murray said he had two goals this year, one immediate and the other later in the year, namely the Australian Open – which starts on 18 January – and the defence of his Olympic title.

"My number one goal is to try and win here, that's...I've been close many times and that's my number one goal. Also the Olympics this year in Rio. You know, it's different for us but I won the gold in London four years ago so to try and defend that is another big goal for me. They would be the two main ones for me."

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Andy Murray Australian Open Novak Djokovic