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A nagging foot injury has stalled Daria Gavrilova's progress but the former Australian No.1 is trying to stay positive at Wimbledon.

Without a match since the French Open, Daria Gavrilova's Wimbledon priority is literally to find her feet again.

The one-time world No.20 has plummeted to 78th in the rankings after a frustrating battle with plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.

"I haven't had the best year. I've had a few niggles and my feet are not being kind to me," Gavrilova said ahead of her first-round clash on Monday with Elina Svitolina.

"I think I'm managing it better. It's a bit annoying not having the workload as high as I used to but this is just a cost of getting my feet better.

"I just need to be patient and deal with it.

"I can play with it. There are some days when I don't feel it and I'm feeling good.

"There are some days when I'm struggling a bit but I'm learning to deal with it so it's getting there."

Normally it's her volatile mind, not a failing body, that holds Gavrilova back but the 25-year-old is working on becoming more mentally resilient in a bid to overcome her physical setbacks.

"It works two ways. When I'm happy, my feet are happy, too," she said.

"When I'm like 'My feet are sore, life sucks', my mind is not good and my feet are not good.

"I've read a few articles that the more positive you are, the better you'll feel."

That positive state of mind is helping Gavrilova believe she can at least compete with eighth-seeded Svitolina, if not spring a first-day boilover.

"I have a tough first-round opponent. I know she hasn't had the best year so far and she's also struggling with a few injuries," Gavrilova said.

"I think it's gonna be a mental battle.

"Already I spoke to Dave (Taylor) my coach about playing her and I just need to set my mind to being really tough and just competing well."