Tennis star Juan Martin del Potro may face a fight to be fit for the Australian Open next week after a wrist injury caused him to pull out of a warm-up tournament.

The Spaniard is seeded fourth for the year's first grand slam event and is one of the game's rising stars, winning the 2009 US Open.

In addition to the injury to del Potro, Swede Robin Soderling is struggling with tendonitis in his elbow, but also expects to be fit for the tournament in Melbourne.

Soderling is seeded eighth for the tournament, while Britain's Andy Murray is seeded fifth, although this will rise to fourth should del Potro fail to recover.

Those struggling with a wrist or elbow strain may find that ultrasound treatment helps improve their condition.

Sportsmen who have recently overcome wrist injuries include basketball player Dwyane Wade of Miami Heat.

This week Wade overcame a severe sprain to the joint to score 35 points in his side's 115-102 win over Golden State.