Wimbledon 2022: Rafael Nadal pulls out of the semi-finals, injured after a surprise win in the quarterfinals

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has had an unfortunate exit from Wimbledon 2022. Spain’s star player and former number one Nadal was to play Nick Kyrgios in the semi-finals, but before that he decided to pull out of the match due to a hamstring injury.

“Unfortunately, you can imagine that if I am here it is because I have to withdraw from the tournament,” the 36-year-old Nadal, who won the most Grand Slam titles, told a press conference on the All England Club.

The two-time Wimbledon champion was scheduled to take on Nick Kyrgios in the semi-finals on Friday for a place in Sunday’s final. With Nadal’s withdrawal, Kyrgios made it to the final of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time, where he will face the winner of the semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Cameron Norie.

Second-seeded Spain’s Nadal had a 19-0 record at Grand Slams so far this year. He won all his Grand Slam matches in 2022 and won the Australian Open in January and the French Open in June.

Nadal had been troubled by abdominal pain for almost a week. The pain became unbearable during Wednesday’s five-set win against Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals but he still managed to win the match in four hours and 21 minutes.