Jerzy Janowicz back on tour following knee injury

Jerzy Janowicz has made a return to the ATP World Tour following an injury-interrupted season, playing the ATP event at Auckland this week.

The 26-year-old from Poland played just one event in the first half of 2016, the Australian Open, and then returned on the hard courts, taking a set off Novak Djokovic at the U.S. Open. He then played a few Challenger-level events before having to stop again with a similar injury.

"The doctor said I might not be able to play anymore," Janowicz said. "I had a problem with my kneecap.

"But I tried to get it fixed. I was back for two months, then I had another problem with the same knee,” he added.

Having been as high as No. 14, he has dropped to No. 280 during his layoff.

"I was injured for a long time, so it's nice to play tennis again," he said. "But it's a much nicer feeling if I win some matches; that's the most important thing."

Janowicz fell against Michael Mmoh, 18, in the second round of qualifying at the Auckland tournament.