Highlights:
- Rafael Nadal announced withdrawal from Wimbledon Men’s Single 2022
- This was owing to an abdominal rupture he suffered in the quarterfinals opposite Taylor Fritz.
- Nadal opted to back off from the competition out of respect for himself and to ensure the injury didn’t get worse.
Rafael Nadal of Spain announced his withdrawal from the Gentlemen’s Singles semifinal press conference at Wimbledon’s All England Lawn Tennis Club on Thursday, July 7, 2022.
Due to the abdominal injury he got in the quarterfinal, Rafael Nadal had to withdraw from his Wimbledon semifinal. Nick Kyrgios of Australia has advanced to his first Grand Slam final.
Nadal had been experiencing abdominal pain since the beginning of the competition, but the injury got much worse during Wednesday’s quarterfinal match against Taylor Fritz. The Spaniard was injured early in the game, yet he recovered to win it in five despite it.
The Spaniard may have been able to play with a 7mm rupture in his abdominal muscle earlier in the day, but after holding a late press conference on Thursday, he has put those rumours to rest. The 36-year-old said the injury would prevent him from winning two more Wimbledon matches. He continued by saying that he believed he had a decent chance of winning in his current state and that, despite the injury possibly not being serious, he did not want to make it worse.
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Rafa.
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 7, 2022
Rafael Nadal’s #Wimbledon 2022 is over ?#BBCTennis pic.twitter.com/avbctHecnA
Nadal mentions that he was in a dilemma while trying to decide whether to play, but after much pondering, he chose to opt out because if he didn’t, the injury might worsen following the game. He was heartbroken when he revealed the decision but at the same time realised that it would not be practically possible to compete and win the next two matches.
Until next time, Rafa ?
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2022
Wishing you a speedy recovery.#Wimbledon
He further stated that he had to be respectful to himself and respect the physical limitations owing to injury. He didn’t want to go to the competition and play at a level that would not suffice to win the competition.
The Spaniard, who now holds the men’s Grand Slam record with 22 victories, was in the running this week to capture the Calendar Slam for the first time in his career but fell short. He will, however, continue to go unblemished in the Majors this season. Nick Kyrgios, meanwhile, becomes the first Australian player to compete in the men’s singles final at SW19 since Mark Philippoussis did it in 2003. In the championship match, he will face either Novak Djokovic or local favourite Cameron Norrie
