The likes of Williams and Roger Federer would draw fans to Melbourne Park, not the nation's up-and-comers Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios, they said.

Tournament director Craig Tiley was with former doubles champion Todd Woodbridge at Margaret Court Arena to promote the Open, which begins on January 18.

Tomic and Kyrgios have not always seen eye to eye with tennis administrators, and recently missed Tennis Australia's annual awards night, when 28-year-old Sam Groth won the Newcombe Medal for on-court excellence and being a good ambassador for the sport.

Tiley said he supported the pair and hoped they did well at the Open.

"We know we've had our rocky moments, but we've been very consistent with our approach and both Bernard and Nick know what our expectations are," he said.

"We wish them the best of luck – they're coming into what's going to be a critical year for them in 2016 and they've both proven on different stages they're among the best players in the world."

When asked whether difficulties between Tennis Australia and the young Australians had made marketing the tournament more difficult, Tiley played down their significance.

"It's hard to beat Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal from a marketing point of view," he said.

"Those young Australian players certainly add a bit of spice to the event."

Woodbridge said despite Tomic enjoying a higher ranking at 18 in the world, Kyrgios was the Australian man to watch in the tournament.

The 20-year-old from Canberra sits at No.30 and now knows better how to handle the pressure of being in the public spotlight.

"Nick Kyrgios' ability to play big points at the right time is better than any young player in his peer group in the world," Woodbridge said.

"Bernard Tomic's consistency though has come through in 2015, and into the new year I think it's that next step for him to go through to a semi, perhaps in a major."

Once considered one of Australia's most promising young women, Ashleigh Barty this year quit tennis to take up cricket, taking a large pay cut in the process.

Asked about the future of the women's game in Australia, Tiley pointed to Daria Gavrilova, a Russian-born player who recently became an Australian citizen.

And 15-year-old Destanee Aiava and 17-year-old Priscilla Hon could become household names, he said.

"There are a lot of young girls coming through – they're not quite there yet on the pro circuit ... but they'll get there, we're very pleased with their progress," he said.

Tiley said the long-term weather forecast for the Open was good, with most days in the mid-20s, some in the low-30s, and no extreme heat.

Bouchard was injured at the US Open this year when she slipped and fell in the physiotherapy room, but Tiley said the fan favourite would be back in Melbourne for the 2016 event.

Williams, who has won six Australian Opens, including in 2015, took a break from tennis after she lost to Italy's Roberta Vinci in the US Open semi-final in September.

Argentine del Potro has been recovering from a wrist injury.