With his Australia Open campaign still alive following a gripping five-set victory over Sebastian Ofner on Tuesday night, Thanasi Kokkinakis provided a candid assessment of what his build-up to the tournament had been like.

It was clear Kokkinakis's preparation had hit a hurdle after first-round losses in Brisbane and Adelaide, but it was his admission that his attitude had needed an overhaul that was most revealing.

"After Brisbane, I honestly didn't feel like I tried my best," Kokkinakis told his media conference at Melbourne Park.

"I didn't bring my most energy and intensity."

Kokkinakis knew he had to start "knuckling down a lot" and while a three-set defeat to Serbian Dušan Lajović in Adelaide was another blow, he was able to take some positives from his performance.

Just over a week later, the shift in attitude paid dividends when Kokkinakis fought back from two sets to one down to beat Ofner 7-6 (7/1), 2-6, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 7-6 (10/8) in front of a raucous crowd inside John Cain Arena.

"That's why you keep working to come out on top with matches like that," he said.

A positive attitude was crucial to Kokkinakis when he trailed world number 37 Ofner after the third set.

"For me, I was just trying to stay composed," Kokkinakis said.

"I know in five sets there's so many sort of mini-matches in between the actual match, so you just have to stay level, pick and choose when to use the crowd and when to use your energy.

"I just had to weather the storm from him."

Once he did, Kokkinakis was able to level the contest by dominating the fourth set, before the fifth was decided in a tie-break after more than four hours on court.

Kokkinakis, who famously defeated Roger Federer at the 2018 Miami Masters, has always possessed the talent to be a top-20 player.

Injuries have taken a massive toll on his career, which is why his highest ranking of 65 – achieved last year – does not do justice to his ability.

But as Kokkinakis concedes, he has not always had the right mindset to be a consistent performer on the ATP Tour.

"It's just tough, I find it very difficult to bring my intensity and level week in, week out as the year gets longer and longer," said Kokkinakis, who is currently ranked 80 in the world.

Kokkinakis adds: "There are things in my game that I can get better.

"But I think just constantly applying myself day in, day out and week in, week out all year is probably the thing that I struggle with the most.

Next up for Kokkinakis is a tricky proposition, 13th seed Grigor Dimitrov.