Doctors have ruled out surgery to treat Rafael Nadal's knee injury and he could be back on the practice court in a month.
The 26-year-old has been on the sidelines since his shock Wimbledon second-round exit at the hands of unheralded Czech Lukas Rosol in late June because of a torn tendon in is left knee.
That meant he missed the defence of his Olympic title, the Masters series events at Toronto and Cincinnati as well as the US Open, which is currently under way in New York.
The former world number one has needed repeated injury lay-offs over the past few years to rest his knees, which take much of the strain that comes from his highly physical style of play.
There have been repeated fears expressed that the rest of his career could be jeopardised if the knee problems get any worse.
