Some of his main rivals are already falling in a heap, but world No.8 Jack Sock isn't taking anything for granted heading into the Australian Open.
Three-time grand slam winner Andy Murray (hip) and world No.22 Kei Nishikori (wrist) have already pulled out of the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic (elbow) and Rafael Nadal (knee) are in doubt, while Milos Raonic and Stan Wawrinka are on the comeback trail from long-term injuries.
Sock hasn't been able to escape the injury curse either, with the 25-year-old hurting his hip while playing Japan's Yuichi Sugita at the Hopman Cup on Tuesday.
The American recovered in time to take on Roger Federer on Thursday night, putting up a good fight in a 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 loss.
Switzerland won both singles rubbers against the US to book a spot in Saturday's Hopman Cup final.
Sock, who has four career titles to his name, has never made it past the round of 16 at a grand slam.
But with a host of the world's best players under injury clouds, Sock has an excellent chance to go deep at the Australian Open.
However, Sock warned he can't expect to just waltz through to the second week.
"Every tennis player in the draw is a good player," Sock said.
"You have other guys competing and pushing those (top) guys. I don't think it's a lock any more that one of those guys is going to win every tournament.
"You can't take anyone lightly."
Sock said his hip was feeling ok, but he would manage it carefully leading into the Australian Open.
"It's playable right now. For the time being it's alright," Sock said.
"I'm getting treatment every day on it and doing what I need to do to to be ready.
"I was perfectly healthy coming in, just had a few wrongfoot steps on the first few matches.
"That one got inverted when I was going the wrong way. It's never fun. I've had a few unfortunate injuries with the slips so I just wasn't going to risk it."
Sock is yet to win a set off Federer in five career meetings.
But he doesn't feel far away from beating the 19-time grand slam winner.
"The first few times we played I kind of got routined by him and the last few times I've been able to get in there and have my looks," Sock said.
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