Injured Nadal unsure about Kyrgios semifinal clash
Spaniard turns up for practice on Thursday but does not know if he will be fit to face Australian
07 July 2022 - 16:32
by Agency Staff
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Rafael Nadal of Spain trains on a practice court on day eleven of The Championships Wimbledon 2022 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 7 2022 in London, England. Picture: GETTY IMAGES/SHAEN BOTTERILL
London — Rafa Nadal turned up for practice at Wimbledon on Thursday a day after the 22-time Grand Slam winner played through an abdominal injury to beat American Taylor Fritz in an absorbing quarterfinal.
The Spaniard was back hitting forehands and backhands on the practice courts at Aorangi Park a day before his semifinal against Nick Kyrgios, and also went through his service motions.
Nadal had said that he did not know if he would be fit to play against Australian Kyrgios, after appearing close to retiring midmatch against Fritz on Centre Court.
The 36-year-old Nadal, who is chasing a rare calendar year Grand Slam after winning the Australian and French Open titles, said he would undergo more scans on Thursday before deciding what to do.
Nadal’s serve speed dropped drastically from the end of the second set against Fritz after he took a medical timeout, but he still clinched the tie in a final-set tiebreaker.
A third Wimbledon title, and first since 2010 on the manicured lawns, plus a US Open triumph at Flushing Meadows in September would see the Mallorcan claim the calendar slam — a feat last achieved in 1969 by Australian great Rod Laver.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Injured Nadal unsure about Kyrgios semifinal clash
Spaniard turns up for practice on Thursday but does not know if he will be fit to face Australian
London — Rafa Nadal turned up for practice at Wimbledon on Thursday a day after the 22-time Grand Slam winner played through an abdominal injury to beat American Taylor Fritz in an absorbing quarterfinal.
The Spaniard was back hitting forehands and backhands on the practice courts at Aorangi Park a day before his semifinal against Nick Kyrgios, and also went through his service motions.
Nadal had said that he did not know if he would be fit to play against Australian Kyrgios, after appearing close to retiring midmatch against Fritz on Centre Court.
The 36-year-old Nadal, who is chasing a rare calendar year Grand Slam after winning the Australian and French Open titles, said he would undergo more scans on Thursday before deciding what to do.
Nadal’s serve speed dropped drastically from the end of the second set against Fritz after he took a medical timeout, but he still clinched the tie in a final-set tiebreaker.
A third Wimbledon title, and first since 2010 on the manicured lawns, plus a US Open triumph at Flushing Meadows in September would see the Mallorcan claim the calendar slam — a feat last achieved in 1969 by Australian great Rod Laver.
Reuters
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