Tomic, 33, took his first step towards qualifying for the year’s first grand slam on Monday, winning his first match at Melbourne Park since 2021 with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Bolivian Hugo Dellien.

The Queenslander – who has been toiling mostly at Challenger level over recent months as he continues to grind at his at-times-controversial tennis career, that climaxed with a top-20 ranking a decade ago – conceded after the victory that he had been “a little bit nervous at the start” before he went on to control the match in front of a vocal crowd to his favour.

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“It was a little bit swirly, I was a little bit nervous as well at the start. I haven’t played many big matches over the last year,” Tomic said after the match.

“The atmosphere was incredible.

“I had a pretty good last four or five months of the year … I’d like to have finished a bit higher, but I didn’t. All is well, so let’s see. These are the moments you’re grateful for.”

The 33-year-old has left the game for periods and always found headlines, with a Miami arrest amid a lengthy list of behavioural incidents and controversial moments.

He said on Monday that he had “sort of left the sport a bit mentally” at times, but affirmed he is back for business.

“I needed to (leave it),” he said.

“The sport was really tough for me, and I was not the best person to cope with it mentally. So I figured out a way to just like, you know what … I wanted to see if I can challenge myself and get back to the top 100 from 900 (ranking) at that stage. It’s still going to be tough. Let’s see if I can do it, huh? That’s my goal.”

Tomic was ranked as high as 17 in the world in 2016 and now sits at 184.

“It’s something that has been my sort of goal, to qualify at a slam again,” he said.

“(And) to have a bit of a run at a grand slam now. Maybe at Wimby (Wimbledon) or here. I know I’m still good enough to compete with these top guys. But it’s just a matter of surface conditions. Everything has to lay out for me at this time, at this age … I’m having fun.

“So let’s see if I can win a couple more matches here, huh?.”

In scenes that could have been mistaken for the tournament’s first round as Opening Week kicked into gear, Tomic played in front of a near full-house at 1573 Arena with fans chanting his name. Dellien was clearly affected at moments throughout the match, smashing a racquet while Tomic asked for bananas and regularly removed his shirt.

“The Aussie fans have always been there,” he said.

“It’s always been great. I can’t wait (to play again) … it’s truly an amazing feeling. I’m so happy I’m back winning. It’s my first match I’ve won in a while here. So for me, it’s really good.”