Victorian table tennis player Melissa Tapper says the Paralympics are no different to the Olympics, aside from a few extra ramps here and there.
The 26-year-old is backing up to compete at both Games, making history as the first Australian to do so.
Tapper, who was born with nerve damage in her right arm, was dealt a horror draw at the Olympics last month and crashed out in the first round.
But the London Paralympian says the experience sharpened her skills and she now feels more comfortable.
"It's been good to slip straight back in, I don't feel too overwhelmed," she said.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games medallist wont be marching at the opening ceremony on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) as she prepares for her opening women's singles match on day one of competition.
"My body's good, my head's good... I just want to compete now," she said.
"Everyone's working for the gold but it's going to be really hard to medal."
Tapper faces stiff competition from Poland's star Natalia Partyka, who also competed at the Rio Olympics, as well as the London and Beijing Olympics.
The three-time Paralympic gold medallist has not lost a para table tennis match since 2008.
"She's top 50 in the world in the able bodied so she's incredibly strong," Tapper said.
With the home crowd behind her, current world no.3 Bruna Alexandre from Brazil may prove another threat to Tapper.
After suffering a first round defeat to Brazil's Caroline Kumahara at the Olympics last month, Tapper knows what to expect.
"It was tough. I've just got to play well and hope that they have a bad day," she said.
