Djoker packs a punch

Former champ makes successful return

Novak Djokovic has made a stunning return to tennis but he was hesitant to declare that his elbow is 100 per cent fit.

The 12-time grand slam winner, who had not played a competitive match in 182 days since he retired with the elbow issue at Wimbledon in July last year, demolished world No. 5 Dominic Thiem 6-1 6-4 in emphatic fashion at the Kooyong Classic yesterday.

It was the test he sorely needed, the 30-year-old said, and one he was pleased to pass with flying colours.

“It feels great. Obviously I was waiting for this moment for six months to get out on the court and play a match,” Djokovic said.

“Also I got a great opponent, No. 5 in the world.

“It was a fantastic test for me to see where I am, to see what we have done as a team and whether it works on the court. It worked pretty well.”

His serve was particularly promising, the Serbian said, having been the shot with “the biggest question mark” over it given his injury.

But he admitted he cannot give himself a clear bill of health until he plays in the Australian Open next week.

“I don’t want to be over-confident,” he said.

“I’m very, very happy with the way it went (yesterday), but I don’t want to say (my elbow is) 100 per cent.

“I’ll say that when I start a tournament and when I get to actually feel that it’s 100 per cent.”

There had been doubt whether Djokovic would even make the trip to Melbourne.

When the six-time Australian Open champion withdrew from the season-opening Qatar Open, he said he “did not know what was going to happen”.

Djokovic could not give a definitive answer to whether he will absolutely play in the year’s first grand slam next week, but said all signs are currently positive.

“I’ll try to go day by day,” he said.

“I had plenty of time but at the same time the elbow needed more time to recover. I’m getting in the groove and getting my elbow in the match play and (yesterday) was the first best-of-three match that I’ve played since Wimbledon last year.

“I’m very happy with the way it went and that’s all I can say. For now, I am in the (Australian Open) tournament and let’s hope with God’s grace that everything will be fine in the next five days.”

Thiem, 24, has been battling a virus and significant jetlag but was confident he will be ready to fire next week.