( CNN ) -- Novak Djokovic made a winning return from a wrist injury when beating Radek Stepanek at the Rome Masters but the Serb described the conditions as some of the most testing he 's faced . Playing his first match since losing in Monte Carlo to Roger Federer on April 19 , the second seed dropped serve three times but beat the Czech 6-3 7-5 . Despite Stepanek 's resistance , the two-time winner of the event found the gusting wind to be an even bigger obstacle . `` It was one of the most difficult conditions I 've played in my life , '' Djokovic told the ATP website . `` When it 's very windy on court , especially on clay , the clay gets in your eyes . It was very difficult to get any kind of rhythm . '' `` But the positive is that I managed to stay mentally tough until the end and win . '' Watched by new coach Boris Becker , the 26-year-old needed one hour and 37 minutes to win through as he finetunes preparations for the French Open , which starts on May 25 . The world number two missed last week 's Madrid Open because of his the trouble in his right wrist and there had been some expectations that Federer would be a headline absentee in the Italian capital . Surprise Return . The Swiss welcomed the second set of twins into his life on Tuesday last week after wife Mirka gave birth to Leo and Lenny , who join elder sisters Myla and Charlene . The 32-year-old only arrived in the Italian capital on Monday after being packed off -- to his own surprise -- by his family . `` It happened all of sudden on Thursday , '' Federer , who plays on Wednesday , told reporters . `` I spoke to the team , I spoke to Mirka , asked all of them what they thought I should do and they said too quickly that I should come here and play . `` So 'ok , if you do n't want me around , I 'll go away ! ' '' joked the Swiss . `` It 's hard to leave all the family , but I 'll see them soon . '' The world number four revealed that he fully expects the twins to soon be joining the rest of the family on the ATP World Tour . `` Clearly , it 's going to be so much work with four kids on the road , but I feel like we 're going to be able to handle it , '' he said . `` My wife 's unbelievably supportive , and she 's so good with the kids . I try my best every day as well , when I can , to help . I 'm there every day , always with the kids , and I see them so often . `` It 's something I 'm really going to look forward to , spending this quality time with them , as we travel the world and are in different countries and cities . It 's going to be actually very exciting . '' Federer will meet France 's Jeremy Chardy as he returns to the court just eight days after the expansion of his family . He has not played since losing last month 's Monte Carlo final to compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka , who beat qualifier Pere Riba 6-0 6-3 , registering 50 winners in a victory that lasted as many minutes . In the women 's first round , there was local pride as Camilla Giorgi surprised ninth seed Dominika Cibulkova while Sara Errani also made it through , beating Chanelle Scheepers in straight sets .
Novak Djokovic beats Radek Stepanek at Rome Masters after nearly a month out with injury . World No . 2 takes 97 minutes to win in straight sets . Federer explains decision to leave home for Rome . TL;DR Roger Federer, who has won the last two Wimbledon titles, is set to play his first match since returning from an ankle injury.