It was impossible not to think ahead, to what awaits Rafael Nadal, while watching him sigh as he discussed how “very sad” he was about pulling out of the Wimbledon semifinals because of a torn abdominal muscle.
It was impossible not to think back to just a month ago, when Nadal at 36 became the oldest champion in French Open history, then expressed doubt about whether he would even show up at the All England Club because of chronic pain in his left foot that required nerve-numbing injections just so he could play in Paris.
And it was impossible not to think back, to a year ago at Centre Court, when Roger Federer exited after a loss in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, clearly compromised by a balky right knee that would soon require a third surgery in a span of about 18 months. Federer, who turns 41 in a month, has not played a match since.
