Thursday 24 July 2014 17:10, UK
Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro has returned to the practice court, four months after undergoing wrist surgery.
The 25-year-old from Argentina struggled through the first three months of the season, even managing to win January's Sydney International event, before opting to undergo a career-saving operation.
He played through the pain at the Australian Open in Melbourne before being ousted by Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in the second round.
Del Potro was having problems with his left wrist and, despite playing further ATP events in Rotterdam and Dubai, he eventually went under the knife in March.
"I have great news to share! Four months after the surgery I hit my first few backhands and my doctor Richard Berger was there. I'm looking forward to playing pain-free again as soon as possible. Thanks for your support!," he said on his Facebook page.
Del Potro had a similar operation on his right wrist in 2010 and was subsequently out for eight months.
The highlight of his career came at Flushing Meadows in 2009, when he beat Roger Federer in five sets to win his first - and thus far only - grand slam title.
