RAFAEL NADAL sensationally IGNORED his family’s orders to retire – and then completed another staggering comeback to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals.
Dad Sebastian and sister Maria Isabel were caught on camera frantically gesturing for Nadal to quit when he called for the trainer at 4-3 in the second set against Taylor Fritz.
The Spaniard, 36, was visibly struggling with an abdominal issue that has been strapped in recent matches.
And as he grimaced and shook his head, those in his box on Centre Court made their feelings known.
His father tapped his wrist – as if to tell his son to call time on his calendar Slam hopes and protect further damage – then waves his arms in the air.
All the while, his sister Maria Isabel and pregnant wife Xisca watched on nervously.
And Nadal confessed they were indeed wanting him to throw in the towel on Wimbledon‘s Centre Court.
The 22-time Grand Slam champ revealed: “They told me I needed to retire from the match.
“It was tough to retire in the middle of the match. Not easy even if I had that idea for such a long time.
“But in the other hand, I did it a couple of times in my tennis career. It is something that I hate to do it. So I just keep trying, and that’s it.
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“I wanted to finish. And that’s what I did. I’m proud about the fighting spirit and the way that I managed to be competitive under the conditions.”
Nadal, who lost the first set in 37 minutes, went off for a medical time out to get treated but somehow came back and carried on then claimed the second set.
On-court observers said he did not make eye contact with his box after levelling the match while his dad remained motionless as others around him celebrated.
Nadal lost the third but dug into his deepest reserves of mental strength and never-say-die character to force a fifth, which he secured 10-4 in a tie-break after four hours and 21 pulsating minutes of sheer tennis drama.
And that set up a blockbuster semi-final showdown with rival Nick Kyrgios.
However, Nadal admitted he “doesn’t know” if he will be fit to play again in less than 48 hours on Friday afternoon.
If not and he pulls out beforehand, Kyrgios would receive a walkover into Sunday’s final to face either Novak Djokovic or Cameron Norrie.
Asked on whether he will recover and be fit for Friday’s Kyrgios clash, two-time SW19 winner Nadal added: “I don’t know. I’m going to have some more tests.
“It is difficult to know. I am used to have things and I am used to having pain and playing with problems.
“Let’s see. It’s obvious that this is nothing new. I had these feelings for a couple of days.
“Without a doubt, this was the worst day. There has been an important increase of pain and limitation.
“I can’t give you a clear answer because if I gave you a clear answer and then another thing happens, I will be a liar.”
