It has been nearly four months since Juan Martin Del Potro underwent wrist surgery but finally he has been allowed back on to the tennis court to test out the repaired joint with a few gentle backhands. This is just the first baby step on the road to full recovery but at least he is hitting tennis balls again.

Watched by his doctor, Richard Berger, (he is the bloke in the tie and sensible shoes looking awfully uncomfortable on the sidelines. Methinks putting him on a tennis court may have taken him out of his comfort zone), DelPo was only allowed to try a few tippy-tappy shots in Rochester, Minnesota. No date for his return to the tour has been fixed yet but the comeback has begun.