FUMING fans claim Rafael Nadal’s Wimbledon withdrawal has denied Taylor Fritz a semi-final spot on Centre Court AND blocked his girlfriend Morgan Riddle another eye-catching outing in the stands.
Nadal pulled out of Friday’s clash against Nick Kyrgios with a torn abdominal muscle suffered in his last-eight comeback win against Fritz.
Rafael Nadal says he can’t serve due to his abdominal injury, but many fans felt he should have withdrawn DURING his win against Taylor Fritz
But social media was blitzed with suggestions the 22-time Grand Slam winner should have retired from Wednesday’s five-set epic – to let American Fritz have a shot at Kyrgios.
And some armchair viewers also felt robbed of another afternoon of the BBC cameras lingering on Fritz’s model partner Riddle in his team box.
Many might feel it’s unfair to blame ultimate competitor Nadal, who has even amazed himself by maintaining his elite level at 36 despite serious injuries.
But a fierce volley of criticism was still aimed the Spaniard’s way on Twitter, typified by: “FFS why didn’t he pull out when losing to Fritz.”
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One response was: “People would have said he faked injury because he was going to lose.”
But this comment spoke for more posters: “Fritz should get to play Kyrgios. Then the winner goes to the final.”
Others also believe unseeded Kyrgios now has a ‘huge advantage’ for Sunday’s final.
The controversial Australian has an extended rest – while Brit Cameron Norrie attempts to shock top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic in what is now Friday’s only semi-final.
Social media influencer Morgan Riddle is a big supporter of boyfriend Taylor Fritz around the world on tour
One fan posted of Nadal: “He should have retired or at least bring back Fritz to play Kyrgios, who now has a huge advantage over his opponent in the final with rest days etc.”
And others argued tennis lovers shouldn’t be punished by Nadal’s injury denying them of one semi-final.
Such a tweet was: “Can’t Taylor play the semi against Kyrgios then… Eh… Don’t want to disappoint the audience!”
There was some sympathy for Nadal, though – from fans who stressed his long-term future should be his priority.
One said: “I’m sad Rafa can’t play, but his health must come first.”
Nadal himself explained: “It is obvious if I keep going, the injury will be worse and worse. I feel very sad to say that.
“I believe I cannot win two matches under these circumstances.
“I cannot serve. It is not only I cannot serve at the right speed. I cannot do the normal movement to serve.
“I don’t want to go out there and not be competitive to be at this level to play to achieve my goal with a big chance to make the things much worse.”
