Del Potro to undergo surgery

Juan Martin Del Potro is preparing himself for an extended spell on the sidelines after discovering his wrist injury will require surgery.

US Open champion in fitness race to defend title in New York

Juan Martin Del Potro is preparing himself for an extended spell on the sidelines after discovering his wrist injury will require surgery. The world number five has been inactive since his fourth round exit from the Australian Open in January, and is likely to be out for several months. The 21-year-old clinched his first Grand Slam title last year he won the US Open against Roger Federer, the defence of which in August is now under threat. "All this year I've been wanting to avoid surgery with different treatments but evidently the injury is more serious," he said. "The recovery time is prolonged but it depends on many factors that can't be measured today." Not only will Del Potro miss the upcoming French Open and Wimbledon, but also his country's Davis Cup quarter-final against Russia in July.