Wagga’s rising tennis star made her Melbourne Park debut last year and is back for more at Australia’s biggest tournament.

Staines is entered in both the girls singles and girls doubles.

The 17-year-old starts her doubles campaign with Gabriella Da Silva Fick on Sunday with the singles to start the following day.

Staines is already in Melbourne waiting on both draws to be released.

She is ready for another opportunity.

"I can’t wait,” Staines said.

“There is a lot more people here this year than what I remember actually, but I’m definitely looking forward to the atmosphere.

“Hopefully I can play some good tennis.”

Staines believes the experience from her debut will be a big benefit as she look to put in a stronger performance.

“I was here last year and know what it is about,” she said.

The 17-year-old was knocked out in the first round of the singles last year, but is hoping she can enjoy enough success to push her ranking into the world’s top 50 juniors.

She is currently at a career-high 93.

“I’m hoping to try and make quarters, fingers crossed,” Staines said.

“This year I want to give it a real crack and see how we go.”

On the comeback trail from injury, Staines hasn’t had a lot of tennis in the past three months after her season was cut short by an elbow issue in early November.

After tournaments in Japan and Korea, Staines was forced to retire in her second Korean event and needed five weeks off the court.

Staines returned from injury at Traralgon’s event this week.

While knocked out by American opponent Nicole Mossmer in the first round of the singles, she had more success in the doubles with Da Silva Fick.

Staines and the Sydneysider played together when the pair were younger and they quickly found their groove again.

They made it through to the finals of the doubles event at Traralgon before being beaten by Polish pair Maja Chwalinska and Iga Swiatek in the super tiebreak third set.

Staines was still pleased with the effort. 

“We went down in three unfortunately but we beat a few top 20 players so it was definitely good,” she said.

While success in Australia’s biggest campaign is her primary focus, Staines is also looking to have a stronger presence on the junior circuit this season.

She will head to New Zealand for a tournament next month and has plans to take part in both the Junior French Open and Junior Wimbledon.

Staines also has to juggle year 12 commitments and while still based in Canberra to train will take her studies on the tennis circuit after switching to long distance education.