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Rafael Nadal has his win against Taylor Fritz
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HANNAH MCKAY/ REUTERS
The 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner Rafael Nadal will not appear in his semi-final against Australian Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon on Friday because of an injury.
Tennisstar announced this decision at a press conference on Thursday evening.
"I have a tear in my abdominal muscle," said the Spaniard.
"I've been thinking about my decision all day, but it makes no sense to compete." He feels "very sad".
He couldn't risk too much and "take a break for two or three months," Nadal said.
Kyrgios moves into his first Grand Slam final without a fight.
The 36-year-old Spaniard had already been treated for the injury and received anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers in his five-set win in the quarterfinals against American Taylor Fritz.
With the withdrawal, the chance of a dream final against defending champion Novak Djokovic and the first Grand Slam in men's tennis in 53 years is over.
Only two wins in Wimbledon and a triumph at the US Open were missing to win all four major titles of the year like Rod Laver did in 1969.
ngo/dpa