Alex De Minaur is the Australian number one player but he’s never gone beyond the fourth round in Melbourne and that’s something that will rile him.

Nick Kyrgios will return to action at a major tournament in Melbourne this time and he joins the likes of Thanasi Kokkinakis, Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson in gunning for glory.

Although the chances of a home winner look bleak this year, it used to be a common occurrence that an Australian would come through and lift the famous trophy in Melbourne.

The most successful male Australian player to play at the Australian Open has actually won the crown as many times as Roger Federer and home supporters will be dreaming of a repeat of the dominance of Roy Emerson at some point in the future.

Roy Emerson won as many Australian Open titles as Roger Federer

When it comes to the all-time greats, Emerson doesn’t get too many shouts but when it comes to the Australian Open, he should receive more plaudits.

Emerson won the crown six times – the same number as Federer – claiming his six titles in seven trophy-laden years on the professional circuit.

In total, Emerson won 12 Grand Slam titles and was the first male player to reach that number when he claimed a second French Open in 1967.

Emerson sits in joint second place with Federer when it comes to titles at the Australian Open – with only Novak Djokovic sitting above the pair with 10 wins to his name.

Despite being a top singles player during his career, the Australian was also a dab hand when it came to doubles and lifted a further 16 Grand Slam titles playing that format of the game.

Emerson enjoyed a 15-year playing career and he also proved himself as a team player, leading Australia to no fewer than eight Davis Cup wins during his career.

Emerson is Australian Open legend

It looks like a safe bet at this moment in time that no Australian player will ever enjoy the level of success that Emerson enjoyed during his career.

His record at the Australian Open was brilliant and frankly, it’s remarkable that he managed to win as many titles as Federer during his career.

The game was, of course, different in the sixties but nonetheless, Emerson deserves absolute respect for what he achieved in Melbourne.

The Australian Open was actually played on grass when Emerson was in his pomp and Federer might argue that he’d have won more than six were it played on that surface in his heyday.

To win six of the same Grand Slam title in seven years is no mean feat with Federer’s haul was stretched across 14 years.

Emerson was a right-handed player and going into this year’s event, every Australian could perhaps do with taking some inspiration from the heart and desire that he showed whilst he was out on the court as a player.