ARTICLES:

• US Open 2014: Rafael Nadal on track to return from wrist injury in time for last Grand Slam of the year (via Independent)

Nadal, who is wearing a cast on his right wrist, is continuing to train in Majorca with a view to returning at the year’s final Grand Slam event in New York. “Following a scan and clinical evaluation, his progress is on track, although he will still have tests from time to time,” the Spanish federation reported on their website.

• Nadal pasa un control de su lesión en la Clínica Mapfre de Medicina del Tenis (via RFET)

Hoy ha pasado control en la Clínica Mapfre de Medicina del Tenis por los Doctores Ruiz-Cotorro, médico personal del jugador y director del centro, y Jaume Vilaró y Ramon Balius, que forman parte del equipo de médicos de confianza del jugador. Tras el control ecográfico y la valoración clínica realizados, su evolución va por los cauces previstos, no obstante seguirá pasando controles de forma periódica.

• Does this picture of Rafael Nadal bode well for his U.S. Open chances? (via USA Today)

When Rafael Nadal recently announced that a right wrist injury would force him to miss August tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati, it was widely assumed the U.S. Open would soon follow. An injury serious enough to miss two Masters 1000 tune-up events surely wouldn’t heal by the Open, which begins three weeks from today. But judging by recent posts on Nadal’s Facebook page, that knee-jerk reaction may have been too hasty. This photo, posted on Monday, shows Nadal practicing serves with his Uncle Toni dutifully watching nearby. You can see Nadal’s splint on his right wrist.

• Toni Nadal confident Rafa will make it to the US Open (via sport360.com)

However, Rafael has been able to practice nonetheless, since he is left-handed. “I am optimistic and confident that he will be at the US Open,” Toni told Spanish website Punto de Break. “He might be short on match play but grand slams are always long. You start, and if you are lucky enough to have a good draw in the early rounds then you can find your form. “Rafa is not a beginner who needs many matches, he knows what he needs to do.”

• Nadal, optimista con su recuperación (via Marca)

El español Rafael Nadal, actual número 2 del mundo del ránking ATP, publicó en sus cuentas oficiales de Facebook y Twitter que continúa entrenándose “con ganas y optimismo” para recuperarse de sus dolencias en la muñeca derecha.

• Predictions for Rafael Nadal for Remainder of 2014 ATP Season (via bleacherreport.com)

It seems clear that his body is telling him to slow down. It’s better to miss tournaments by choice than through injury. With only two mandatory ATP tournaments remaining after the U.S. Open—The Shanghai Masters, which begins on Oct. 5, and the Paris Masters, on Oct. 27—Nadal might be best served by resting up until the Australian Open comes around in January next year.

• Quick Hits (via The Slice)

PHOTOS: 

• Rafael Nadal practices in Manacor (Part 1 & Part 2)
• Rafa y Xisca van a una boda que no es la suya (via diezminutos.es)

VIDEO: Federer’s Racket Revealed – Nadal’s Injured Wrist – Sharapova Douses Coach (via Tennis Now)