Melbourne: Novak Djokovic says meditation has helped him overcome fear and stress that comes with playing elite tennis.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion, 30, says he often turned to the practice during his long spell out of the game last year with elbow trouble.

The Serb former world No.1 is playing in his first tournament since Wimbledon in July and he has a brand new support team, headed by eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi as coach.

Djokovic said after reaching the fourth round of the year's opening Grand Slam on Saturday that he now meditates on a daily basis. "Yes, I do. I'll tell you what. I don't want to tell you what I gain with it, but I'll tell what I lose with it," he said. "I lose fear. I lose anxiety. I lose stress. I guess, in the end of the day, that's what you're looking for."

Djokovic has become involved in meticulous off-the-court preparation in recent years. He has a strict, gluten-free diet and is an advocate for well-being.

The new year has given him the opportunity to analyse aspects of his game and preparation.

"When it comes to tennis, I obviously was excited to analyse my game," he said. "First of all, I wanted to get the right team of people around me, experts in their field, so they can contribute to the process and the journey of working on my body and my game.

"Improving different aspects that are there to be worked on. Thankfully, there is always something to work on."

Djokovic said apart from tennis, he has always looked at ways to improve himself, which he terms his "philosophy of life".

"It has always been, not just for tennis, but in general there's always something that you can improve and get better at as a person and as a player," he said.

"That's probably the most exciting thing about life, that every day is a new opportunity for you to get better."

Djokovic, meanwhile, allayed fears over a muscle strain in his lower back after overpowering Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 on Saturday.

After holding serve to lead 2-1 in the second set, the 14th seed took a medical time-out and lay down at the Margaret Court Arena as a trainer worked feverishly on his lower back.

"Nothing major," Djokovic told reporters.

"I knew I wanted to use the medical timeout because I needed it, but at the same time I knew it was nothing major that can potentially raise the question mark on whether I can continue playing or not," he added.

"I haven't played for six months. We have to take that into consideration. I'm kind of forced to be very cautious of what happens day-to-day."

"Obviously for me, it's taking one match at a time," Djokovic said in his on-court interview.

"I have to be more humble this time with my expectations because I haven't played in six months. But I'm very pleased with where my game is at."

Djokovic faces South Korea's "NextGen" star Chung Hyeon in Monday's round of 16.

Agencies