At 40, Fisher feels in better shape than when he retired from professional tennis.

His knees are holding up, he’s fit and the fire within has never burned more intensely.

In August, the dream of a US Open return was denied when Fisher and partner Nathan Healey lost the qualiyfing final which would have secured a ticket in the main draw.

Healey retired straight afterwards, but Fisher is determined to push on.

“I expected to win, I was fired up to play at the US Open again, so I was devastated when we lost,” he said.

“I was driving away from the tournament thinking, I played in the US Open 11 times and lost plenty of times in the first round and I’d never felt like this.

“It hurt so badly because I sort of concluded deep down that it may have been my last shot and I didnt want that to be my last shot. 

“The way my body held up made me believe I could still play at the elite level.”

Fisher had made the US Open semi-final in 2006 with US friend Tripp Phillips and the quarter-finals at the Australian Open (2006) and Wimbledon (2004). 

He was in career-best form in 2009 before injury setbacks eventually forced his retirement. Fisher went into commentary and coaching, but the desire to play again remained.

“My wife (Kirsten) overheard a conversation I was talking to a guy currently on tour where I said to stay out there as long as you can,” Fisher said.

“I regret stopping when I did, I haven’t found anything remotely close to playing tennis as a profession. She overheard that and said she would hate to think she was the season why I stopped and if I wanted to give it another go she would support me.”

Fisher has ruled out a tilt at the Australian Open to undergo stem cell injections in his knees in the US, which would help him cope with the demands of the tour again.

But the biggest stumbling block is finding a new doubles partner to replace Healey.

Fisher admitted Dayne Kelly, who he will play with at the Wollongong International this week was “lucky No 10’’ in his search.

However, he is hoping to work with Tennis Australia to help mentor an emerging talent next year, while also chasing his grand slam dream.

It all starts by chasing a ITF Futures tournament win back at his junior base at Beaton Park.

“This was where I could come home to prepare for the Australian Open,” he said.  “When I think about home I think about coming back here. It’s come full circle, it’s an honour to come here and play.”