Rafael Nadal fails to show on time for practice at Wimbledon amid injury fears

Rafael Nadal has not yet shown for practice at Wimbledon amid fears he may have to withdraw from his semi-final against Nick Kyrgios through injury.

Nadal, who is due to face Kyrgios in a mouth-watering clash on Friday, ignored calls from his box to retire hurt with an abdominal problem in his comeback five-set win over Taylor Fritz in the quarter-final.

His father Sebastian and sister Maria were both caught by the television cameras frantically gesturing from the players’ box for him to forfeit Wednesday’s last eight encounter.

Rafael Nadal was struggling with an abdominal problem in his quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz

Nadal’s father Sebastian appeared to urge his son to quit as he battled abdominal pain during Wednesday’s Wimbledon quarter-final

But after taking a medical timeout midway through the second set, the Spaniard roared back to set up a Centre Court showdown with Kyrgios.

Nadal, 36, was scheduled to be on Court 10 at 12:30pm on Thursday but there has so far been no sign of the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

Asked if he would be able to continue in the tournament after beating American Fritz, Nadal said: ‘I don’t know. I am going to have some more tests but it is difficult to know.

Nadal took a medical timeout in the second set before roaring back to beat Fritz in five sets

‘I had these feelings for a couple of days, but without a doubt, today was the worst day. There has been an important increase of pain and limitation.

‘I am worried. I don’t have a decision. I need to know different opinions and I need to check everything the proper way.

‘There is something more important than winning Wimbledon and that is health.’ 

Nadal is seeking a third Wimbledon title but it remains unclear whether he will be fit enough to play Kyrgios for a place in Sunday’s final.