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.
When tournament organisers published their intended order of play at 4.30pm, Nadal was on it – meaning he had not informed them he was pulling out. But Nadal, who has only won two of his 22 Grand Slams on Wimbledon's hallowed lawns, won a 14th French Open title last month despite needing injections in a chronic foot injury.
He was due to undergo further medical tests, but members of his team have refused to comment on his condition to leave Kyrgios – who burst on to the scene when he beat Nadal at Wimbledon as a 19-year-old in 2014 – guessing whether he will face a wounded opponent.
The controversial Australian also played Nadal here three years ago, losing in four tight sets, and Kyrgios added spice to their rivalry with some unflattering remarks in a podcast interview three years ago.
He said: "We've had some absolute battles on that Centre Court. He's won one against me, and I've won one against him. Obviously, we are two completely different personalities, but I feel like we respect the hell out of each other. I feel like that would be a mouth-watering kind of encounter for everyone around the world."
