“I have this possibility in my mind, I have to admit,” she said of a possible Career Grand Slam. “I know it’s difficult, but after Wimbledon, I feel like everything is possible in this world.

“I will try just to work hard on the hardcourts, to do what I need to do. On grass courts, I changed the game a little bit, and helped me. Now I have to adjust my game to hardcourts more and more.

“I had great results in the past. I had final in Melbourne. My main goal for this next years, let’s say, it’s to win the Australian Open because Darren is back and I’m sure he wants to win home.”

Seeded No.4 in Wuhan, Halep will begin her campaign against either Barbora Strycova or local wildcard Wang Xiyu.