Former golden girl Eugenie Bouchard is heading into the Australian Open with “zero expectations” of success after a year plagued by injury and poor form.

Following a breakout year in 2014, the Canadian tumbled out of the top 10 with first round exits at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Worse was to come, with a dramatic locker room fall leaving her concussed and forced to withdraw from the US Open, an incident which prompted the former world number five to sue the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

After three months away from the tour, Bouchard made a positive return at Shenzhen last week, winning her first two matches before being beaten in the quarter-finals.

She continues her preparations for the Australian Open at the Hobart International this week but was playing down her prospects of a return to winning ways in the immediate future.

“A month or two ago I wasn’t even sure I could play the Australian Open so I’m just so happy to be in Australia, looking forward to playing these two tournaments (with) zero expectations,” the 21-year-old told reporters yesterday.

“I’m feeling good... I didn’t want to play if I wasn’t somewhat prepared, so I worked really hard in the off season to try and catch up a bit.”

Bouchard will face American Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the first round in Hobart.