Murray, Nadal could return to October play in Asia

Sep 22, 2009, 15:16 GMT

London - The injury prospects appear to have brightened for Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, with the elite pair now said to be aiming to make Asian ATP appearances by next month.

Reports from London indicate that a scan of Murray's left wrist shows more of a sprain than anything else, with doctors ruling out tendon damage. That news will be a relief to the world number three Scot, who hurt his wrist and missed three months in 2007.

Murray is now due to rest this week and next in time to hopefully fly to Tokyo for the ATP event from October 5, where world number one Roger Federer is also due to headline.

Murray risked the wrist which bothered him at the US Open by playing in Britain's losing Davis Cup cause at the weekend, 3-2 against Poland.

Nadal, meanwhile, is hoping to be ready by mid-month to play in the required Shanghai Masters, coming off an abdominal muscle problem.

The Spaniard, who wisely withdrew from next week's tournament in Bangkok, will also rest in hopes of making his return after a fortnight without swinging a racket.

Federer, for his part, said he is looking forward to a holiday after leading Switzerland back into the Davis Cup World Group over Italy at the weekend.

'I have to go on holiday badly,' said the 15-time Grand Slam champion. 'I have a problem with my leg, I have a problem with my arm - everything is hurting.

'Plus I've got to do some baby-sitting. I've been spending a lot of time on the tennis court the last few weeks,' said the father of twins girls born on July 23.