Updated

Rafael Nadal has begun training as part of his recovery from a left knee injury that has sidelined him since Wimbledon.

The Spaniard chose a hard court in his home town of Manacor to begin hitting tennis balls again, overseen by his uncle and coach Toni Nadal and a physiotherapist.

The 26-year-old Nadal says he plans to be fully fit in time for the Australian Open in January.

The fourth-ranked Nadal, who won the French Open, has not played a competitive match since losing to Czech player Lukas Rosol in the second round at Wimbledon nearly five months ago.