Sydney NSW, Australia, 15 September 2016 | AAP

Bernard Tomic plans on cutting back his 2017 playing schedule as he fights a head cold on the eve of Australia’s Davis Cup World Group Play-off with Slovakia.

Tomic has contested 20 tournaments in a gruelling 2016 campaign while managing to retain his place in the world’s top 20 for the bulk of the season.

The 23-year-old says he enjoys being on the road – and the benefits of accumulating rankings points almost on a weekly basis – but admits the heavy workload is beginning to take a toll.

Tomic has arrived in Sydney under the weather following a taxing US hardcourt campaign that culminated in the one-time world No.17 slipping to 21st in the rankings following a first-round US Open exit.

Tomic says he plans on following the lead of his Davis Cup teammate Nick Kyrgios, who has risen to a career-high No.15 in the world despite playing only 15 events so far this year.

“Last year, ever since I’was playing really good tennis since January, I just keep pushing myself to keep playing tournaments,” Tomic said.

“I think as you get to that point where I am – top 20, top 25 – you have to play less tournaments and be really focused and fit for all the tournaments you play.

“That’s one thing Nick does very well. He plays less tournaments and plays really well at them as opposed to me.

“I played a few more tournaments and I’m motivated to keep travelling, which is something I have to target next year: playing definitely less.”

But Tomic, who missed the Rio Olympics, has no intention of skipping any Davis Cup ties.

He owns an impressive 16-4 singles win-loss record in the competition and hopes to improve on that this weekend.

“I’ve played Davis Cup since I was 17 years old,” he said.

“I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s something I’m really good at. I’ve hardly lost any matches at it so I’m enjoying the moment to be here this week and I hope I can win some more matches.”