The Argentine has endured an injury disrupted couple of years after claiming the 2009 US Open which boosted him to No.4 in the world rankings.

And while Rafter is expecting top seeds Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to dominate, the two-time US Open winner said del Potro could cause the pair some major headaches.   

"Del Potro's been awesome," Rafter told Channel Seven.

"If conditions are right he could play really well."

Aussie tennis royalty Rod Laver has also looked beyond the top seeds and expects six-time Australian Open winner Roger Federer to claim the opening grand slam of the year.

The 35-year-old last won the Australian Open in 2010 and has not won a grand slam since capturing Wimbledon in 2012.