Any issues between Auckland and Emma Raducanu appear to have been left in the past, with the 21-year-old back for her second ASB Classic.
At the start of 2023, the former US Open champion was forced to withdraw from her Auckland debut, after picking up an ankle injury during a second-round loss to Viktoria Kuzmova.
The injury came after play was forced inside onto the ASB Tennis Arena's indoor court, due to inclement Auckland weather causing havoc for the tournament.
At the time, Raducanu took aim at the ASB Classic as a whole, saying "certain aspects could have been organised better" and that her injury was "not a surprise" given the state of the indoor court.
But a year on, and after spending most of 2023 off the court due to injury, Raducanu made a point of asserting her love for Auckland, after securing a wildcard to make her competitive comeback at the ASB Classic.
"I remember coming here last year, I think it's one of the best venues and sights on tour, honestly," Raducanu said.
"The food here is great, the weather here - when it's on - is really, really nice.
"Auckland is such a great tournament, and the field is super-strong.
"I'm looking forward to it."
When the ASB Classic main draw begins on January 1, Raducanu can enjoy a fresh start as she makes her comeback after having to write off nearly all of 2023 through injury.
Separate injuries to both wrists and ankle needed surgery, and forced Raducanu to go through lengthy rehabilitation for each.
When she does take the court at Stanley Street to start the ASB Classic - drawn against an as-of-yet-unknown qualifier before a second-round match-up against one of Elina Svitolina or Caroline Wozniacki - it will also end a months-long wait to get back playing outside.
What's more, Auckland will undoubtedly be ideal preparation for next month's Australian Open, from which Raducanu will have to qualify for the main draw due to being ranked outside the world's top 100 players.
Regardless, after spending so much time out of the game, Raducanu is grateful to be playing any tennis as her new season begins.
"I feel reborn, in a way," she added. "I feel fresh, I feel ready, I feel happy, I feel excited.
"Overall, I'm feeling very positive and lighter. For two years, after the US Open, I felt maybe a bit more weight on my shoulders. Now I feel completely fresh.
"It's nice not to have three casts on. Just moving around, showering, you really appreciate being able to do your own hair and stuff like that.
"I'm just happy to be back playing."
