Week two of Wimbledon 2022 rolls on with Nick Kyrgios, Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep among those in action on Wednesday. Kyrgios has been one of the headline attractions at SW19 this year, but his run to the quarter-finals has been shrowded by his on-court behaviour and looming reports off it.
On Tuesday, Novak Djokovic fought back from two sets down to defeat 20-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner on Centre Court. Later on, Cameron Norrie was also triumphant in a five-set epic, setting up a semi-final showdown with the six-time Wimbledon champion.
Kyrgios faces Chilean Cristian Garin on Court 1 to join them in the final four, while Rafael Nadal continues his quest for the Calendar Grand Slam on Centre Court against American 11th-seed Taylor Fritz. After a whirlwind Tuesday at the All England Club, what does Wednesday have in store?
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Nadal ignored dad’s advice
Rafael Nadal has confirmed that he went against the wishes of his father and refused to retire injured during his epic five-set Wimbledon quarter-final victory over Taylor Fritz.
Nadal’s dad was caught on camera mid-match appearing to tell his son to quit. And Rafa revealed: “They told me I need to retire the match, yeah.
“Well, I tried. For me it is tough to retire in the middle of the match. It is not easy even if I had that idea for such a long time.”
Kyrgios on Raducanu support
Nick Kyrgios has responded to the apparent Twitter support from Emma Raducanu that we reported on earlier.
He said: “I haven’t had much communication with Emma before. I feel like I’ve kind of stuck up for her a bit in the media with some of the stuff that older legends kind of love to just throw shade and have their opinions on young players, young important players.
“She’s obviously going to be one of the most important players on the WTA Tour for a very long time.”
Nadal could withdraw from Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal has sparked feelings he may not play against Nick Kyrgios, saying he doesn’t know if he will be fit in time for Friday’s match due to a stomach muscle problem.
“I had these feelings for a couple of days but without a doubt today was the worst day,” he said of his injury in his abdomen.
“Have been an important increase of pain and limitation. I managed to win that match but we’ll see what’s going on tomorrow.”
Kyrgios expects Nadal drama
Nick Kyrgios thinks his Wimbledon semi-final against Rafael Nadal will be the ‘most-watched match ever’.
Speaking before Nadal’s win was official, Kyrgios said: “I feel like that would be a mouth-watering kind of encounter for everyone around the world.
“That would probably be the most-watched match of all time. I would argue that.”
Nadal almost retired vs Fritz
Rafael Nadal says he felt like he was going to have to withdraw from Wimbledon during his match against Taylor Fritz.
“The body generally feels fine. In the abdominal something is not going well,” he confessed in his on-court interview.
“I had to find a way to serve a little bit different. For a lot of moments I was thinking I’d not be able to finish the match.”
Nadal reacts
Rafa speaks after his victory. “I honestly enjoy a lot playing these kind of matches in front of you guys,” he says.
“I can’t thank you, everybody, enough for the support. It’s been a tough afternoon against a great player.
“All the credit to Taylor, he’s been playing great the whole season. From my personal side it was not an easy match at all and I’m very happy to win and be in the semi-finals.”
