Rafael Nadal played cat-and-mouse over his fitness ahead of Friday's blockbuster semi-final against Nick Kyrgios by practising out of sight.
The No.2 seed has an abdominal injury, and sources in Spain claim he has suffered a 7mm muscle tear – which most players would find an insurmountable handicap. But Nadal practised for 45 minutes at Aorangi Park on the All England Club complex – on a court conveniently shielded away from cameras and prying eyes.
During his gruelling five-set marathon against American Taylor Fritz on Wednesday, Nadal had looked close to retiring hurt with his father and sister, watching from the players' box, appearing to gesticulate that he should quit. The 36-year-old had strapping on his stomach and claimed afterwards he could not say whether he would be fit to face Kyrgios.
