Nick Kyrgios says he was pleased with his season despite his suspension from the ATP. He finished the year No. 13 in the rankings.
He began the season ranked 30th, and went on to win his first career titles in Marseille, Atlanta and Tokyo.
"For anyone in only their second full year on tour to win three titles is pretty big," he told Australian reporters before his scheduled appearance at the Hopman Cup. "It was definitely a successful year for me."
The 21-year-old Australian was suspended by the ATP in October for not giving his best effort during his second-round match in Shanghai. The week prior, he won the Rakuten Open in Tokyo. Kyrgios, who saw a sports psychologist in order to reduce the length of his suspension, suggested that the break from tennis helped him.
"I needed to shut down, really, after a very long and tough year," he said. "I'm still learning about myself and things like [scheduling].”
He admits, though, that it will be tough being under scrutiny again at the Australian Open.
"Being the focal point brings added attention and pressure," he said, "but I'm not going to knock that. It's a positive thing, and it means I've achieved a position where people care."
Kyrgios sees himself as a long-shot contender at the tournament.
"Someone has to win, and I'm more than capable," he said.
Kyrgios is the top-ranked Australian player.