The 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner Rafael Nadal will not appear in his semi-final against Australian Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon on Friday because of an injury. The 36-year-old tennis professional announced this decision at a press conference on Thursday evening.
“I have a tear in my abdominal muscle,” said the Spaniard. “I’ve been thinking about my decision all day, but it makes no sense to compete.” He feels “very sad”. He couldn’t risk too much and “take a break for two or three months”.
The 36-year-old Spaniard had already been treated for the injury and received anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers in his five-set win in the quarterfinals against American Taylor Fritz. With the withdrawal, the chance of a dream final against defending champion Novak Djokovic and the first Grand Slam in men’s tennis in 53 years is over.
