Rafael Nadal had to face reality to announce his retirement from Wimbledon. The Spanish sensation appeared seriously hampered in his movements during his quarterfinal match against Taylor Fritz because of an abdominal injury. Rafa managed to win that match, but his mood was bleak in the aftermath.
Eventually, Rafa was diagnosed with a 7-millimeter tear in his abdomen and it was clear that he had no chance to play and win 2 competitive best-of-5 matches in Wimbledon if he wanted to win the title.
“I have to pull out of the tournament. As everybody saw yesterday, I have been suffering from pain in the abdomen. I have a tear in the muscle,” he said.“ If I keep going, the injury is going to be worse and worse. I made the decision that I can’t win two matches under these circumstances,” he added.
Nadal press conference (1/2)
He has to pull out with a tear in the abdominal. Feels deep regret but decision is about happiness as opposed to titles
He wants to not be out of competiton too long. pic.twitter.com/5dzT8vVc6n
— AR (@BuggyWhipFH) July 7, 2022
Nadal press conference (2/2)
He didn’t feel like he could play two matches. Maybe he could have jammed his way to a final but beat Djokovic in a final with a 99mph serve. Impossible. pic.twitter.com/bsMABNxWSf
— AR (@BuggyWhipFH) July 7, 2022
With Rafa out, Nick Kyrgios has a free card to the final, where he will face either Novak Djokovic or Cameron Norrie. Nick will also have the luxury of benefiting from a 3-days break which will help him to be in great form for the final.
We're sad to see it end this way, @RafaelNadal
Thank you for another year of unforgettable moments at The Championships#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/XadiEVxaWF
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2022
Nadal in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2022
At the moment ranked no.4, Rafael owns a 35-3 win-loss record in 2022. The Spaniard is participating in Wimbledon where he conquered Francisco Cerundolo 6-4 6-3 3-6 6-4, Richard Berankis 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-3, Lorenzo Sonego 6-1 6-2 6-4, Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-4 6-2 7-66 and Taylor Harry Fritz 3-6 7-5 3-6 7-5 7-64.
Rafael Nadal will compete against the world no.40 Nick Kyrgios in the semifinal on Friday at 4.30 pm on Centre Court. Their current record is 6-3 for Nadal.
Rafael clinched 4 titles in 2022 in Melbourne, at the Australian Open, in Acapulco and at the French Open. The Spaniard was the runner-up in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open).
Rafael won 92 titles in his career: 24 on hard courts, 63 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Kyrgios in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2022
LWLLL Ranked world no.40, the Australian has managed to achieve a 21-6 win-loss record in 2022. The Australian is participating in Wimbledon where he bested Paul Jubb 3-6 6-1 7-5 6-73 7-5, Filip Krajinovic 6-2 6-3 6-1, Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-72 6-4 6-3 7-67, Brandon Nakashima 4-6 6-4 7-62 3-6 6-2 and Cristian Garin 6-4 6-3 7-65.
Nick Kyrgios will play the world no.4 Rafael Nadal in the semifinal on Friday at 4.30 pm on Centre Court. Their actual record is 6-3 for Nadal.
Kyrgios won 6 titles in his career: 5 on hard courts and 1 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios clashed against each other 9 times. Their actual record is 6-3 for Nadal. The last time they squared off, Rafael Nadal won 7-6(0) 5-7 6-4 in the quarter in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) on the 17th of March 2022.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Djokovic in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2022
Currently ranked no.3, the Serbian has managed to achieve an overall 21-5 win-loss record in 2022. Novak is playing in Wimbledon where he ousted Soon-Woo Kwon 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4, Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-1 6-4 6-2, Miomir Kecmanovic 6-0 6-3 6-4, Tim Van Rijthoven 6-2 4-6 6-1 6-2 and Jannik Sinner 5-7 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-2.
Novak Djokovic will fight against the world no.12 Cameron Norrie in the semifinal on Friday at 1.30 pm on Centre Court. Their head to head is 1-0 for Djokovic.
Djokovic has won 1 title in 2022 in Rome. Djokovic reached the final in Belgrade (Serbia Open).
Djokovic won 88 titles in his career: 49 on hard courts, 18 on clay courts, 14 on indoor courts and 7 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Norrie in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2022
Currently ranked no.12, the Brit achieved a 32-15 win-loss record in 2022. Cameron is participating in Wimbledon where he defeated Pablo Andujar 6-0 7-63 6-3, Jaume Antoni Munar Clar 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-0 6-2, Steve Johnson 6-4 6-1 6-0, Tommy Paul 6-4 7-5 6-4 and David Goffin 3-6 7-5 2-6 6-3 7-5.
Cameron Norrie will face the world no.3 Novak Djokovic in the semifinal on Friday at 1.30 pm on Centre Court. Their actual record is 1-0 for Djokovic.
Norrie clinched 2 titles in 2022 in Delray Beach and in Lyon. The Brit was the runner-up in Acapulco (Abierto Mexicano Telcel).
The Brit won 4 titles in his career: 3 on hard courts and 1 on clay courts. (See the list of his titles)
Novak Djokovic and Cameron Norrie played each other once. The head to head is 1-0 for Djokovic. When they played, Novak Djokovic won 6-2 6-1 in the round robin in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2021.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Rafael Nadal |
| Embed from Getty Images |
