Rafael Nadal on Wednesday overcame an abdominal pain to beat Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon 2022. The 22-time Grand Slam champion won 3-6, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10-4). He is set to play his eighth semifinal at the All England Club against an in form Nick Kyrgios.

However, Rafa’s participation in doubtful. The Spanish star complained of issues mid-way through the first set vs Fritz. His father, who was in the Centre Court stands, waived his arms asking the 36-year-old to quit. But Nadal stayed out there, adjusted his strategy and managed to win.

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“For a lot of moments. I was thinking, ‘Maybe I will not be able to finish the match.’” Nadal said after the game. 

Nadal provided no assurance that he will be able to play the semis against Kyrgios. He leads the Aussie 6-3 head-to-head and the two are 1-all at the Wimbledon. 

When asked about his chances of playing the unseeded 27-year-old Kyrgios, Nadal said, “I don’t know. Honestly, I can’t give you a clear answer because if I gave you a clear answer and tomorrow another thing happens, I will be a liar.”

If the reigning Ftench Open champion bows out, he will not only miss out on a potential third All England title but also his chance at the calendar slam — a feat last achieved in 1969 by Australian great Rod Laver.

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Rafa left the court with a trainer for a medical timeout while up 4-3 in the second set; Fritz paced around the baseline, waiting. A doctor gave Nadal some pills; the trainer tried to relax the muscle.

“They can’t do much,” Nadal said. “Nothing can be fixed when you have a thing like this. I just wanted to give myself a chance. Not easy to leave the tournament, not easy to leave Wimbledon, even if the pain was hard,” the 22-times Grand Slam winner said.

“I don’t know. I wanted to finish. I fought. Proud about the fighting spirit and the way that I managed to be competitive under that condition.”

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He will undergo more scans on Thursday before making a decision

“I am used to holding pain and play with problems.” The 36-year-old had admitted that he was taking injections to play through the pain in his left foot during the French Open this year. 

When asked how many, “It’s better you don’t know”, he said. He admitted that play was possible only because the left foot was asleep.