Kyrgios through to Wimbledon final after Nadal withdraws

Nick Kyrgios is through to the Wimbledon men’s final after Rafael Nadal sensationally pulled out of the tournament due to an abdominal muscle tear.

Nadal had been irritated by the issue for a few days, but it was aggravated in the first set of his match against American Taylor Fritz on Wednesday.

He says he made his decision because he can’t win two matches with the injury.

It means Kyrgios has been given a walkover into the men’s singles final.

He’ll play either Novak Djokovic or Cameron Norrie for the title on Sunday.

Sports Illustrated executive editor Jon Wertheim says for Nadal not to turn up shows the severity of his injury.

“For him not to show up, especially against Nick Kyrgios, who is a first-time semi-finalist, not exactly known as a sterling competitor … shows you how severe this injury must be,” he told Stephen Quartermain and Elise Elliott, filling in for Ross and Russel.

Mr Wertheim isn’t sure whether the walkover will help or hinder Kyrgios.

“On one hand, this is a boom for him, he will be well-rested,” he said.

“On the other hand, it does give him extra time to think.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about how the walkover will likely affect Kyrgios.

(Image: AELTC/Joe Toth /Getty Images and Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)