Serb wins in comback clash

The former world No. 1 has not played in a competitive tournament since losing at Wimbledon last summer and was a huge doubt as to whether he would be fit enough to play in the season’s first Grand Slam.

But after he beat world No. 5 Dominic Thiem 6-1, 6-4 at the Kooyong Classic — an exhibition tournament — he declared he had dealt an ace to his troublesome elbow injury and was ready to play in Melbourne.

“I feel great, I was eager to get onto the court,” Djokovic said after playing with a flesh-colored sleeve on his right arm.

“I had a great opponent, it was a test for me to see where I am, how the work we did pays off on court. It worked pretty well.”

As good as the victory was, and after so long out without any meaningful play it was a very good workout, Thiem arrived in Melbourne on Monday night after four days in bed with a virus, and presented only a minimal challenge to the recharged Serb.

Djokovic, now down to No. 14 in the rankings, was only too aware that one win in an exhibition event does not signal an automatic return to the glory days and admitted it was touch and go as to whether he would be able to play in the Australian Open.

“There was a doubt, especially after I pulled out of the first week of the year,” the 30-year-old admitted.

“I personally didn’t know what’s going to happen. We did some treatment and obviously gave it a lot of thought.” Djokovic said.

“Luckily I’m here and so I’m hoping in the next four, five days everything will go well and I’ll be ready for the Open.”

While pleased with his progress, Djokovic admitted he was far from his best ahead of the Melbourne major.

“I don’t want to be over-confident, but I’m very, very happy with how it went today,” he added.

“I don’t say I’m at 100 percent, I can only say that when I get the feel of a tournament. Ideally I would have had another tournament before the start of the Open, but it was not meant to be.

“I’ll take whatever I can — one or two matches here will be good preparation.”

LONDON: Novak Djokovic admits he has a lot of work to do if he is to launch a tilt at a seventh Australian Open title.