RAFAEL NADAL has WITHDRAWN from Wimbledon ahead of his semi-final tomorrow because of a huge abdominal tear.
Nick Kyrgios now receives a walkover into the final. Stick with us here on SunSport as we bring you the latest to this breaking story.
Elsewhere, Ons Jabeur has made history by becoming the first African woman to reach a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon.
The Tunisian ace defeated Tatjana Maria in their semi final to reach Saturday's showpiece, in which she will face Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina battered Simona Halep on Centre Court to progress. Like Jabeur, she will also be playing in her first Grand Slam final.
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- Joshua Jones
Heartbroken Rafa
He has just said: "People know how much effort I put to be here.
"It's my decision and I have to live with it."
- Joshua Jones
Packed press room
Unsurprisingly the media have gathered in their masses to hear what Nadal has to say.
The 36-year-old also talked about not risking doing further damage which could force him out for an "two to three months".
Obviously he does not know how long he is going to be sidelined for at this stage with the 7mm tear in the muscle.
Credit: PA - Joshua Jones
Wimbledon pay tribute
Oh this is not how anyone wanted to say farewell to Nadal at Wimbledon 2022.
This is how the tournament shared the news of the two-time champ pulling out.
- Joshua Jones
Nadal visibly emotional
The 22-time Grand Slam champion is on the brink of tears as he explains his decision to the gathered press.
He would have done absolutely everything to be on court tomorrow.
But he simply is too injured.
He talked about "happiness being more important than any titles".
- Joshua Jones
Latest withdrawal of all time
This is the first time ever in the history of Wimbledon someone has had to withdraw from the tournament at this late stage before a semi-final.
And therefore this is the first time someone has got a walkover into the final.
- Joshua Jones
'I have to pull out'
Rafa Nadal confirms he is indeed withdrawing from Wimbledon 2022.
This is absolutely gutting.
Nadal said: “Unfortunately I am here because I have to pull out from the tournament, everybody saw yesterday I had been suffering with pain in the abdominal.
"I know something was not okay there. that is confirmed. I have a tear in the muscle of the abdominal.
"The communication is too late, I was thinking during the whole day, the decision to make
"I think it is, yeah, it doesn’t make sense to go. Even if I did many times in my career to keep going, tough circumstances, 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 cance to make the things much worse."
- Joshua Jones
Fritz cannot be reinstated
Just to confirm, Taylor Fritz is out of the tournament.
His defeat to Nadal yesterday means he cannot be brought back in.
Once you're out, you're out.
- James Orr
Nadal out – Kyrgios given walkover
It has now been confirmed that Nadal's pursuit of a calendar Grand Slam is over following the Wimbledon withdrawal.
Kyrgios will now meet either Novak Djokovic or Cameron Norrie in the men's singles final on Sunday.
Nadal has already won the Australian Open and French Open this year – taking his Grand Slam tally to 22.
But his abdominal injury has now prevented him from trying to clinch a third title at the All England Club.
- James Orr
Rafael Nadal withdraws latest
Rafael has withdrawn from Wimbledon ahead of his semi-final with Nick Kyrgios.
The Spaniard was suffering with an abdominal tear during his five-set quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz.
- Joshua Jones
Ab injury too much
The Spaniard was severely hindered by that abdominal problem.
He has a 7mm tear that is causing too much trouble.
Nadal practised at Wimbledon earlier today to test it out.
But it was clearly not right.
A press conference has been called for 7.20pm where we expect the official confirmation will be made.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun 
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun - Joshua Jones
Breaking news
This is major news!
Rafael Nadal is pulling OUT of Wimbledon.
- Alex Cole
Ladies' Singles title showdown
To confirm the women's singles final on Saturday is Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina vs Tunisia's Ons Jabeur.
Bring it on!
- Joshua Jones
Still waiting for Neal…
Skupski is having to wait a long time for this mixed doubles final.
Why it was scheduled on the same evening as a doubles semi-final for Ebden I do not know.
But it could be a late one to see some British silverware…
- Joshua Jones
Heartbreak for Joe
Oh no, Joe!
It was all looking so good when Ram and Salisbury had five match points in the third set…
Now they are licking their wounds after being knocked out by Ebden and Purcell in five.
Ebden will now take a bit of a break before playing in the mixed doubles final.
Busy day…
- Joshua Jones
Rybakina to play Jabeur
Wow.
What a performance from Rybakina but Halep was just not at the races today, throwing down a whopping nine double faults.
The Kazakh closes out the victory by thumping a stunning backhand return winner up the line and right into the corner.
She is through to the Wimbledon finally – and deservedly so.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun 
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
- Joshua Jones
Break, break, breaks everywhere
Rybakina had an early advantage.
Halep broke back.
But then Rybakina broke again.
She has just held for 6-3 5-3 and Halep is serving to stay in Wimbledon…
- Joshua Jones
Jannik looks the part
Jannik Sinner pushed Novak Djokovic all the way on Tuesday in their Wimbledon quarter-final before eventually losing in five.
But he has softened the blow by signing a sponsorship deal with Gucci – just like Manchester City star Jack Grealish.
The Italian posted on his social media and wrote: "Famiglia (family) Gucci – Excited for the future."
Credit: Twitter @janniksin - Joshua Jones
Salisbury into a decider
After FIVE match points earlier on, Salisbury and Ram have been pegged back.
Ebden and Purcell took that crunch tie-break to win the third and then broke at 5-4 to claim the fourth and take it into a fifth.
Come on, Joe!
- Joshua Jones
Rybakina takes opener
What a fine 37 minutes for Elena Rybakina.
She storms into a one-set lead over Halep.
Some simply wonderful shot-making from the hard-hitting Kazakh has proven too hot for Halep to handle so far.
Can the Romanian find a way back?
- Joshua Jones
Norrie up first
Ooooh.
Wimbledon have released the order of play for tomorrow.
And it seems as though they are giving Nadal every possible chance of getting on to court.
It is going to be Cameron Norrie vs Novak Djokovic at 1.30pm on Centre Court.
And then that will be, as it stands, followed by Rafael Nadal vs Nick Kyrgios.
- Joshua Jones
'One of the most important players'
Kyrgios said: "I haven't had much communication with Emma before.
"I feel like I've kind of stuck up for her a bit in the media with some of the stuff that older legends kind of love to just throw shade and have their opinions on young players, young important players.
"She's obviously going to be one of the most important players on the WTA Tour for a very long time.
"She's obviously capable of winning a Grand Slam at 18. She's very capable of doing that again.
"I'm glad that I have those supporters. If she loves watching my tennis, that's great. I enjoy watching her tennis, as well.
"But I think that was just a bit of a payback for how much I've kind of stuck up for her in the media."
- Joshua Jones
Emma is Kyrg to stay
Nick Kyrgios has lept to Emma Raducanu's defence after criticism from 'older legends' – and then backed her to win more Grand Slams.
The Aussie even labelled the British sensation one of the "most important" female tennis players in the world.
Raducanu, 19, burst on to the global stage by winning the US Open as a qualifier last September, not dropping a single set in her ten-match streak.
But struggles on the court since, regular coaching changes and nine major endorsement deals have led to some criticism from former players.
Raducanu – who lost in round two at this year's Wimbledon – tweeted "NK," with a magic wand yesterday afternoon as he swept Cristian Garin aside to reach a maiden Grand Slam semi-final.
And Kyrgios was quick to return the compliments for the Kent ace.
- Joshua Jones
Elena 'eading the right way
The 23-year-old has made a strong start by getting the early break and looking in control on serve.
Rybakina holds for 4-1 when her groundstoke jumps off the net and Halep, rushing in, fires long then slaps her thigh in frustration.
2-2 in the fourth for Ram and Salisbury.
- Joshua Jones
Salisbury and Ram forced into fourth set
After two-and-a-half hours on court and battling back from a break down in the third, Salisbury and Ram are into the men's doubles Wimbledon final.
A big Aussie serve and a Ram booming forehand long saw the first two match points go begging…
A controversial call sees the 6-6 point replayed but a third is saved by a mammoth Purcell serve…
Salisbury then delivers the goods at 7-7 with a superb volley and smash into the corner.
The Brit will serve for match point No4…
Double fault!
Brilliant rally as Salisbury and Ram boss the net… 9-8 they lead…
Purcell volleys one off the frame into the open court and saves the fifth match point – he apologises but the Aussies survive! 9-9…
Ram and Salisbury go for the same ball and the ball falls to the turf… 10-9 to Ebden and Purcell…
Fantastic return and Ram nets.
The show goes on…
- Joshua Jones
Simona Halep vs Elena Rybakina up next
We know of Saturday's finalist.
And in a few hours we will know who Ons Jabeur will play.
Halep won here in 2019 and has won her last 12 Wimbledon matches because there was no tournament in 2020 and she was injured in 2021.
Rybakina is the first Kazakh player – male or female – to reach a Grand Slam semi-final.
She represented Russia and was born and raised in Moscow but switched allegiance in 2018.
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