New York: Roger Federer returns to the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells for the first time since 2015, but insists he is still on the comeback trail despite his surprise Australian Open success.

The four-time Indian Wells winner is riding high after capturing his 18th Grand Slam title in Melbourne earlier this year. He heads to the California desert having crashed out of the Dubai Tennis Championship to Russia's Evgeny Donskoy, the world No. 116, and has landed in the same section as three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Federer admits he has surprised himself after recovering from knee surgery, which kept him out of action for six months last year. "Yeah, I am very surprised... Have surprised myself...

"I didn't think it was going to be like this especially after missing Indian Wells last year where things were... I won't say bad, but they were not ideal after having knee surgery and trying to get back, especially when I took six months at the end of the season last year," the 35-year-old said.

"I thought I will be coming here as a part of me getting back after the New Year. Now here, I am standing as Australian Open champion this year. It feels great, of course."

Federer says he hopes to create some "milestones" again this year with aims of impressing at Wimbledon and the US Open in the hope of making the year-end World Tour Finals at The O2 in London.

"Expectations have risen now, which is nice in a way. But I liked how I played in Australia, totally free with nothing to lose. That was new for me after all these years," said Federer. "I'll try to keep that same approach after knowing how that felt, so I think that is going to serve me well throughout the year. " (Agencies)