Nick Kyrgios gets bye to Wimbledon final as Rafael Nadal forced out with injury

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Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from Wimbledon ahead of his semi-final clash against Nick Kyrgios following an abdominal injury – sending the Aussie through to his first ever singles' Grand Slam final.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner received treatment during his quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz and was told by his father to concede the match before powering on to a five-set victory.

However, following scans on Thursday the 36-year-old has decided not to risk further damage by playing on Friday evening – with Kyrgios into his first ever final as a result of a bye.

READ MORE: Australian Open bad boy Nick Kyrgios once blamed poor performances on "being horny"

Nadal had said when asked if he would be fit to play in the last four encounter: "I don’t know.

"Honestly, I can’t give you a clear answer because, if I gave you a clear answer and tomorrow another thing happens, I will be a liar.

"I don't have a decision. I need to know different opinions and I need to check everything the proper way. That is something more important than winning Wimbledon, that is health."

Following that warning, Nadal called a press conference at the All England Club where he was set to announce his withdrawal on medical advice.

Awaiting in the other semi-final are Novak Djokovic and Brit Cameron Norrie, with the Serbian looking for a 21st Grand Slam title and Norrie looking for his very first.

Kyrgios, who becomes the first Australian man to reach the final since Lleyton Hewitt won the competition in 2002, never thought he would even make the last four.

He said after beating Cristian Garin: "I just never thought I'd be at the semi-final of a Grand Slam, I thought my ship had sailed.

"I maybe should have done things a little different early in my career and maybe wasted that window a bit.

"Just really proud of the way I've come out here and been able to put on a performance."

Kyrgios, who memorably beat Nadal at Wimbledon back in 2014, had been expected to give Nadal a rough ride especially due to his injury woe.

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