Dokic arrives in NZ to begin Australian Open preparations

WELLINGTON, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Former world number four Jelena Dokic arrived in New Zealand on Wednesday to begin her competitive preparations for next month's Australian Open.

Dokic, who returned to Australia earlier this month after acrimoniously leaving her adopted homeland in 2001, has been granted a wild card for next week's Auckland Open.

She has already won a qualifying wild card for the Australian Open, the year's first grand slam, which begins on January 16.

"For me, it's important just to get some matches in - that's my main goal," Dokic told reporters in Auckland.

"Hopefully, I'll do that here. The first match will be the toughest. I haven't had the feel of a tournament for a long time, but I'm really looking to being here again and to playing."

The 22-year-old, whose ranking has slipped to 349, last played a tournament in August and a WTA tour event in May.

"I haven't played in a long time and I'm trying to come back, which isn't easy," she added.

"But I'm really happy to be playing again and that's why I chose this tournament. I've been here before, I really like it here and I think I can play well."

Dokic, who has not played at the Australian Open since 2001 when her controversial father Damir claimed the draw was rigged against her, won a wild card for the grand slam last week in Melbourne.

"I had four matches there and that has given me quite a bit of confidence," she said.

"I've been playing better and better. Hopefully, I can have a good start here."