James Duckworth: It's pretty ugly six months ago but now I'm getting there
World No. 244 James Duckworth admits his form isn't where it used to be but he remains happy to be finally healthy.
Duckworth, 26, recovered from a set down to beat promising Australian Blake Ellis in his Australian Open 2019 Play-offs opener 5-7 6-4 7-5 6-2.
The 26-year-old has been healthy for a half year now after recovering from a foot and elbow issue.
Duckworth, a former world No. 82, concluded his 2017 season after an Australian Open first round loss to undergo a foot surgery.
The Australian returned to action in 2018 January but failed to make it past the qualifying events of Brisbane and the Australian Open.
Duckworth hit the sidelines once again before he made his comeback at Roland Garros at the end of May.
"My tennis still I feel like has a bit to go; I'm not where I was (level wise) probably when I was top 100 when I finished 2016," Duckworth told Tennis Australia after his win over Ellis.
"But I'm improving. I've gotten better for sure over the last six months. When I first started back it was pretty ugly but I feel like I'm slowly getting there.
"Still a bit to work on but I've been healthy for six months now, which is the biggest thing I think."
Duckworth, the Australian Open 2016 Play-offs winner, plays next 2018 Australian under 18 champion Rinky Hijikata as he continues to fight for a place in the 2019 Australian Open main draw.
Also read: Milos Raonic putting in hard offseason work as he looks forward to 2019
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