The 35-year-old 17-time Grand Slam champion only played two majors in 2016 and missed the second half of year due to a knee injury.
Seeded 17th, the lowest he has ever been at Melbourne Park, the Swiss star faces a potential third-round meeting with 10th seed Tomas Berdych, and is in the same quarter as top seed Andy Murray and fifth seed Kei Nishikori.
Long-time rival Rafael Nadal, who is also working his way back from injury, will open his tournament against German Florian Mayer.
The Spanish ninth seed could face sixth seed Gael Monfils in the fourth round, and is also in the same quarter as third seed Milos Raonic as he bids to become the first man since Rod Laver to win each Grand Slam at least twice.
