Juan Martin Del Potro makes long-awaited return to tennis

There's no cheering in the press box, but one has to imagine there was plenty of celebration at Delray Beach on Tuesday night when the big-hitting, Big Four-upending, all-around good guy Juan Martin Del Potro returned to the court for the first time in nearly a year and just the third time since late 2013, defeating Denis Kudla in a 6-1, 6-4 romp.

You can say the Argentine was missed as much for this (his lethal forehand) . . .

. . . as this (he's one of the gentlest souls to ever step on a court).

When asked how he prepared for Kudla, Del Potro responded that he didn't. "I don't know him," Delpo said. "I've been home on the couch watching 'The Simpsons' for two years."

Tennis Twitter, which can't agree on anything except for maybe complaining that Tennis Channel doesn't show enough live tennis, was universal in its joy on Tuesday night upon Delpo's return. The tennis world is a better place when Delpo is in the raw.

So, stay healthy, our friend.