The Aussie summer must be well outside the comfort zone of Russian tennis champion Maria Sharapova.

?Temperatures soared above 40 degrees on Wednesday as the world’s best players converge on Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open.

Sharapova told 3AW Drive that Australian conditions can indeed be ‘overwhelming’.

‘You start thinking ‘I need the icepack’ or ‘how much am I drinking?” she said.

‘The biggest focus should just be on you, the ball, and your opponent.’

Sharapova also revealed she has never watched a five-set match from start to finish.

Click play to hear Maria Sharapova’s full interview with Tom Elliott