Cyprus Mail
SportTennisWimbledon

Injured Nadal pulls out of Wimbledon semi against Kyrgios

wimbledon
The Spanish second seed received treatment on the injury during his quarter-final against Taylor Fritz on Wednesday but pushed through the pain to win in five sets

Rafa Nadal’s hopes of completing a rare calendar year Grand Slam ended on Thursday when the Spaniard pulled out of his highly-anticipated Wimbledon semi-final showdown with Australian Nick Kyrgios with an abdominal strain.

“I have to pull out of the tournament as I have been suffering with pain in abdominal,” said the 36-year-old, the holder of a men’s record 22 Grand Slam titles.

“I can’t imagine winning two matches with this (pain). For me the most important thing is happiness rather than the title even though everyone knows how much effort I put into this as I can’t risk being out of the sport for two to three months.

“I am very sad.”

Nadal had triumphed at the Australian and French Opens this year and had been hoping to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the calendar-year slam.

Nadal’s withdrawal mean Kyrgios becomes the first Australian to reach the men’s final at the All England Club since Mark Philippoussis In 2003.

Follow the Cyprus Mail on Google News

Related Posts

Liverpool’s slim title hopes fade further with 2-2 draw at West Ham

Reuters News Service

Nadal excited by prospect of partnering Alcaraz at Paris Olympics

Reuters News Service

Boris Becker to be discharged from bankruptcy

Reuters News Service

London Cypriot football team New Salamis to fold

Tom Cleaver

Man City humble Brighton to keep pressure on Arsenal

Reuters News Service

Red Bull respond to reports Newey wants out

Reuters News Service