Wimbledon 2022: Rafael Nadal pulls out due to an injury

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the Wimbledon 2022 ahead of his semifinal against Nick Kyrgios due to an abdominal injury. The withdrawal — the first from a Wimbledon semifinal in the modern era of tennis — was especially disappointing because Nadal’s game had been improving with each match, something he noted after his win over Fritz, despite this being his first tournament on grass in three years.

In the end, after a day of contemplation and consideration for what mattered most, health prevailed over the temptations of yet another title for Spanish sensation Rafael Nadal. Credit: Reuters Photo

Just 24 hours before his semifinal match against Nick Kyrgios, the 22-time Grand Slam champion pulled out of the championship due to an abdominal injury. Credit: AFP Photo

Nadal made the announcement at a news conference in the main media conference room at the All England Club, explaining that he was withdrawing because of a tear in his abdominal muscle. Credit: AFP Photo

Nadal, who entered the tournament halfway to a Grand Slam and with concerns about his chronically injured foot, said he began to feel soreness in his abdomen roughly one week ago. Credit: AFP Photo

The pain grew worse, and it became clear that he had most likely torn the muscle early in his five-set win over Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals. Credit: AFP Photo

In that match, Nadal took a medical timeout in the second set. Credit: AFP Photo

From the stands, his father and other members of his family motioned for him to stop playing rather than risk further injury, but Nadal ignored their pleas and pulled off one of the more remarkable comeback wins of a career that has seen many of them. Credit: AFP Photo

The withdrawal — the first from a Wimbledon semifinal in the modern era of tennis — was especially disappointing because Nadal’s game had been improving with each match, something he noted after his win over Fritz, despite this being his first tournament on grass in three years. Credit: Reuters Photo