Wimbledon 2022: Nick Kyrgios straight into final as Rafa Nadal withdraws

The controversial Australian tennis star has been given a free pass to the Wimbledon final after semi-final opponent Rafa Nadal withdrew with an injury.

Nick Kyrgios has been given a free pass into the Wimbledon final. Picture: Getty Images.

Controversial Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been given a free pass to the Wimbledon final after semi-final opponent Rafa Nadal withdrew with an injury this morning.

Nadal has a seven millimetre tear in an abdominal muscle, which badly impacts the quality of his serve and while he practised on Thursday he has now withdrawn from the Championship.

“”I made my decision because I don’t believe I can win two matches in these circumstances. I can’t serve,” Nadal said.

“The most important thing is happiness more than any titles.

“I am very sad and it is a very tough one.”

Rafael Nadal applauds as he celebrates winning against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego. Picture: AFP.

Kyrgios now benefits from an extra day of rest and goes straight into Sunday’s Wimbledon final, playing the winner of Friday’s other semi-final between number one seed Novak Djokovic and number nine seed and local favourite Cameron Norrie.

The injury denies the 36-year-old Nadal, who has won 22 majors of a rare chance of securing a grand slam, after winning the Australian Open and the French Open this year. Only the great Australian legendary player Rod Laver has achieved the four slam feat in 1962 and 1969.

Nadal had hoped that the injury, which badly impacted his five set tie-breaker effort against American Taylor Fritz on Wednesday, may be overcome with painkillers but after the training he quickly realised he would not be able to play without further aggravating it.

Nadal was only the court for a short time well away from sight.

Kyrgios, 27, had been set for an epic match against Nadal, whom he beat in his first year at Wimbledon when aged just 19.

Buckingham Palace officials are behind the scenes working out a protocol for the Duchess of Cambridge, who is patron of the All England Club, for when she hands the winner’s trophy, or the runner-up plate, to Kyrgios, a man who is summonsed to appear in an Australian court next month facing a domestic violence allegation.

Kate, a keen tennis fan, will undoubtedly carry out her patron duties in congratulating both players.

But Kyrgios’ humiliation of lines officials, abuse of referees, screaming obscenities on court, spitting towards a spectator and even snubbing his nose at Wimbledon dress code rules during the past fortnight “because I can” has not been well received by many Wimbledon members.

Last month Wimbledon officials banned Russian and Belarussian players from competing in Wimbledon because of the propaganda value that Russia may exploit having the Duchess pictured alongside a victor from either country.