But the former Wimbledon champion has ruled himself out of the Australian Open at the start of next year.

Ivanisevic played a 20-minute hit-and-return session in Split with coach Mario Tudor.

But the 31-year-old Croatian did not practise his renowned big serve.

"The racket felt like it weighed a ton, but I guess that's normal," Ivanisevic said on Sunday.

"Nothing hurt me and I could hit the ball without any problems."

But the left-hander revealed he will skip the Australian Open in January because he would not be able to raise his game in time.

"There is no point in flying 25 hours just to exit in the first round," he said.

Instead, Croatian newspapers report that Ivanisevic is planning a return to top-level action as leader of the country's Davis Cup team later in 2003.

Ivanisevic was a popular winner at Wimbledon in 2001 but has struggled with his left shoulder ever since.

He underwent surgery in May at a private clinic in Germany.