Bad news for Rafael Nadal fans: The Spaniard is withdrawing early from Wimbledon. His stomach is bothering him.
The 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner Rafael Nadal will not appear in his semi-final against Australian Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon on Friday because of an injury. The 36-year-old tennis professional announced this decision at a press conference on Thursday evening. “I have a tear in my abdominal muscle,” said the Spaniard. “I’ve been thinking about my decision all day, but it makes no sense to compete.” He feels “very sad”. He couldn’t risk too much and “take a break for two or three months”.
With the withdrawal, the chance of a dream final against defending champion Novak Djokovic and the first Grand Slam in men’s tennis in 53 years is over. Only two wins in Wimbledon and a triumph at the US Open were missing to win all four major titles of the year like Rod Laver did in 1969.