Djokovic wants Nadal return - CNN.com December 28, 2012 -- Updated 1430 GMT (2230 HKT) World number one Novak Djokovic celebrates his semifinal win over David Ferrer in Abu Dhabi. Novak Djokovic wants Rafael Nadal to make his return from injury at Australian Open Spaniard has been out of action with knee injury since shock Wimbledon defeat Nadal had hoped to play this week but was forced to withdraw with stomach infection Djokovic opened season with semifinal win over David Ferrer in Abu Dhabi (CNN) -- Novak Djokovic is desperate to see his great rival Rafael Nadal make a long awaited return at the Australian Open. The world number one, who defeated Nadal in last year's final, says the absence of one of the sports biggest stars has cheated fans of seeing one of the best in the business. Nadal, who supposed to make a return to action in Abu Dhabi this week before succumbing to a stomach infection, has been out of action with a knee injury for the past six months. Nadal suffers comeback blow The 11-time grand slam winner has not played since his shock defeat by world number 100 Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon. And Djokovic, who reached the final in Abu Dhabi following a straight sets win over Spain's David Ferrer, says he hopes Nadal can finally get back on the court in Melbourne early next month. "I was eager to see him play," said Djokovic. He has been off the tour for the past seven months and I am sure that all tennis fans and all sports fans want to see him back on the court, healthy and fit. I wish him, as a colleague, a fast recovery. It's unfortunate and I'm sure he feels the biggest need to play tennis out of everybody and hopefully he can bit for the Australian Open which is the most important experience. Meanwhile, Djokovic started his own season in style with a 6-0 6-3 win over Ferrer. The Serbia star, who won the tournament last year, cruised through the first set before Ferrer began to offer resistance in the second. Ferrer, ranked five in the world, led 3-1 in the second before Djokovic roared back to take the set. I love this court and the conditions here. I wish all the tournaments in the world were played here," Djokovic told ESPN. It's definitely a great surface. It's not too warm here, not too cold, it's ideal to prepare on. I am surprised with my game considering it's the first match of the official season. Hopefully I can play another good one tomorrow.