Speculation over Rafael Nadal's participation in Friday's Wimbledon semifinals escalated after the 22-time Grand Slam winner revealed that an abdomen injury had troubled him in his five-set quarterfinal triumph over American Taylor Fritz on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old left-hander had to call the medical staff for treatment during the second set, while his father even asked him to retire from the match.
The 35-year-old left-hander had to call the medical staff for treatment during the second set, while his father even asked him to retire from the match.
However, Nadal as he has done so often, somehow managed to cling on and eventually went on to record a 3-6, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4) victory in an epic 4 hours and 21 minutes to keep up his dream of winning all four Majors in a single year.
Despite his win, Nadal didn't guarantee his legion of fans that he would return to Center Court for his semifinal encounter against Australia's Nick Kyrgios.
"I don't know. Honestly, I can't give you a clear answer because if I gave you a clear answer and tomorrow another thing happens, I will be a liar," Nadal said on the possibility of taking on Kyrgios for a spot in Sunday's showpiece final.
"The body in general is fine, but of course something is going wrong in the abdomen. I had to find a way to serve a bit different. I thought I might not be able to finish the match, but this court and the energy is something else," the Majorcan added.
Even a large section of his fans on social media showed their concern after seeing his plight.
"Seriously I don't know why Rafa is continuing with this as the longer he plays with the abdomen ( strain, pull, tear ) or whatever is going on there on the lower right side abs, it will exacerbate and make it worse and it will take a longer time to heal," a supporter wrote on Twitter.
"Still crazy to think that Nadal pulled that off with an injured abdomen. It is definitely going to be a struggle for him the next match, in the semi-finals, but this showed the true heart and competitiveness of one of the greatest of all times," another added.
Meanwhile, there were others, who felt Nadal was faking his injuries.
"He healed his foot, now his abdomen is injured. Liar, manipulator, player of dirty games, cheat," one tennis admirer posted on the micro-blogging site.
"Firstly it was his feet, now its the abdomen. Next game will be the brain...bro nobody will believe you this way!" a second claimed.