Rafael Nadal fails to show on time for practice at Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal arrives over an HOUR late to his scheduled practice at Wimbledon amid fears he may be forced to miss crunch semi-final clash with Nick Kyrgios through injury he suffered in quarter-final comeback win
- Nadal had been due to practice on one of the championship courts on Thursday
- There are doubts over his fitness ahead of the semi-final against Nick Kyrgios
- He ignored calls from his box to retire in his quarter-final with Taylor Fritz
- Nadal was struggling with an abdominal problem before coming back to win
Rafael Nadal is practicing at Wimbledon after arriving more than an hour later than his scheduled slot amid fears he may have to withdraw from his semi-final against Nick Kyrgios through injury – although the Spanish star has reportedly vowed to play the match.
Nadal is out on one of the practice courts at Aorangi Park. According to reports, media have been prevented from getting close to the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
The Spaniard, 36, had been scheduled to be on Court 10 – one of the championship courts – at 12:30 but initially failed to show, fuelling speculation over his whereabouts.
Spanish newspaper Marca has reported Nadal has a 7mm tear in one of his abdominal muscles but is still hoping to face Kyrgios in their mouth-watering clash on Friday.
Nadal ignored calls from his box to retire hurt with an abdominal problem in his comeback five-set win over Taylor Fritz in the quarter-final.
His father Sebastian and sister Maria were both caught by the television cameras frantically gesturing for him to forfeit Wednesday’s last-eight encounter.
But after taking a medical timeout midway through the second set, the Spaniard roared back to set up a Centre Court showdown with Kyrgios.
Asked if he would be able to continue in the tournament after beating American Fritz, Nadal said: ‘I don’t know. I am going to have some more tests but it is difficult to know.
Nadal took a medical timeout in the second set before roaring back to beat Fritz in five sets
‘I had these feelings for a couple of days, but without a doubt, today was the worst day. There has been an important increase of pain and limitation.
‘I am worried. I don’t have a decision. I need to know different opinions and I need to check everything the proper way.
‘There is something more important than winning Wimbledon and that is health.’
Nadal underwent medical tests on Thursday which revealed the abdominal tear.
He is seeking a third Wimbledon title but it remains unclear whether he will be fit enough to play Kyrgios for a place in Sunday’s final.
The primary concern for Nadal before Wimbledon was his chronic foot issue but the abdomen has been hampering him more.
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