The French Open was only last month but it feels light years away for Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Australia’s former junior grand slam champion has transformed dramatically from a physically fractured mental mess ahead of his much-anticipated return to Wimbledon.

Kokkinakis plays Argentine powerhouse Juan Martin del Potro in his first match at the spiritual home of tennis since his body – then his mind – began to break down badly in 2015.

The 21-year-old flirted with retirement during the dark times before emerging from the doldrums – and 19 months in tour exile – with a heartening four-set first-round loss in Paris to Japanese superstar Kei Nishikori.

Kokkinakis backed that up with a statement win over 2016 Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic at Queen’s last week before rounding out his grasscourt preparations with his second win at The Boodles exhibition event on Saturday.

“I feel better. I feel better with my game, feel better with where I’ at,” Kokkinakis said ahead of his opener on Tuesday.

“The body is starting to feel better, which is the main stress. Touch wood, see what happens.

Things are starting to slowly click around.

“I’ve had a couple of wins since then (French Open), which is good. Hopefully I can keep on going.”

Not even a humbling straight-sets loss to rising Russian Daniil Medvedev, when he failed to back up from the emotional high of toppling Raonic, can sap Kokkinakis’s renewed optimism.

“It just shows I’ve still got a long way to go, which I knew,” he said.

“I’m trying to put it away. I’ve actually practised a lot better than I played.

“I’m trying to focus on what’s ahead. I played a shocking match, probably worst on tour, but that’s alright, we’ve got to move on.”

No time to dwell, Kokkinakis knows he will have his hands full against Del Potro, the former US Open champion and Olympic bronze medallist at the All England Club in 2012.

“I’ve had some tough draws the last three slams,” he said.

“Going back when I last played, since then Gasquet, Nishikori, del Potro – all former top-tenners, all great players.

“It’s gonna be tough. He’s had a few injuries, del Potro, but he’s shown he can bounce back.

“We’re kind of similar players, so it should be a good match. There’s gonna be some big hitting.

“I’ve got to alter my game style a little bit, probably less forehands and play a bit smarter. It’s a bit of chess game on grass.”