Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from Wimbledon after not recovering from an abdominal injury, meaning Nick Kyrgios is in a Grand Slam final.
Kyrgios will receive a pass to Sunday’s final, where he will play with first seed and six-time champion Novak Djokovic or Briton Cameron Norrie.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, visibly suffered pain during a grueling five-set victory over American Taylor Fritz, the eleventh seed, on Wednesday.
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Spanish sports newspaper Marca reported Thursday before Nadal had a “seven millimeter” tear in his abdomen but still intended to play.
But the 36-year-old scheduled a press conference later that day at the All England Club in which he confirmed he was retiring.
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“Unfortunately, as you can imagine, I’m here because I have to retire from the tournament,” said the two-time Wimbledon champion.
“As everyone saw yesterday, I suffered from abdominal pain and there was something wrong. That is confirmed, I have a tear in my muscle. ”
The Spaniard said he had been pondering what decision to make throughout the day. But he said: “It doesn’t make sense to continue, even if I try to continue my career. These are very tough circumstances, but it’s clear that if I continue, the injury will get worse.”
Kyrgios responded to the shocking news on his Instagram with a photo of him and Nadal after a match with the title: “different players, different personalities. @Rafaelnadal I hope your recovery goes well and we all hope to see you well see you soon. “
The Canberra native will be the first Australian to reach the Wimbledon singles final since Mark Philippoussis achieved the feat in 2003 and the last Australian male in a Grand Slam final from Lleyton Hewitt at the Australian Open on 2005.
It is the first step to a Wimbledon final and only the second of a Grand Slam men’s semifinal or final in the Open era after Richard Kraijicek was forced out of the 1992 Australian semifinals against Jim Courier.
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The Spaniard suffered pain during his match against Fritz, who won 3-6, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 7/6 (10/4) in four hours and 21 minutes.
Nadal was relieved of pain during the competition and had a medical downtime in the second set, admitting that his father and sister had been gesturing for him to leave.
He practiced at Wimbledon on Thursday afternoon, but, at his 7.20pm (18.20 GMT) press conference, admitted he could not continue.
His decision to retire puts an end to his hopes of winning all four majors the same year after his victories at the Australian Open and the French Open this year.
The last man to win the Grand Slam on the calendar was Rod Laver, in 1969. Nadal, who said his injury prevented him from being able to serve properly, added: “I never thought about the Slam calendar, I thought in my diary and in my happiness. .
“I make the decision because I don’t think I can win two games under the circumstances. Not only can I not serve at the proper speed, but I cannot make the normal movement to serve.
“After that, imagine myself winning two games, and out of respect for me somehow, I don’t want to go out and not be competitive enough to play at the level I need to play to achieve my goals.”
Nadal aspired to win her 23rd Grand Slam title and match Serena Williams in second place on the all-time list with the most individual Grand Slam titles. Margaret Court is the leader in 24 titles.