Debate rages over Kyrgios’ Wimbledon finals inclusion following Nadal’s withdrawal

Division reigns among tennis fans after Nick Kyrgios advanced to the Wimbledon men’s final following Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from his Wimbledon semi-final after failing to recover from an abdominal injury he sustained in his quarterfinal victory against Taylor Fritz.

“I have to pull out of the tournament as I have been suffering with pain in abdominal,” Nadal told reporters while announcing his withdrawal.

“I knew something was not okay there, [and] it’s confirmed: I have a tear in the muscle in the abdomen.

“I can’t imagine winning two matches with this [pain]. For me, the most important thing is happiness rather than the title even though everyone knows how much effort I put into this as I can’t risk being out of the sport for two to three months.

“I am very sad.”

“If I keep going the injury will get worse and worse – I feel very sad to say that”

Come back stronger, @RafaelNadal ????#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/5yeQ3myiux

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2022

Nadal’s announcement provides Kyrgios with a walkover in the semifinal to take on the winner of the other semi-final between Novak Djokovic and British hope Cameron Norrie.

Before his announcement, Nadal competed in a gruelling five-set quarter-final match defeating American Taylor Fritz. Following Nadal’s announcement to drop out, tennis commentators are now questioning whether Fritz should be offered a similar opportunity as Kyrgios and implement the “lucky loser” policy allowing him to face off against Kyrgios in a semi-final final match.

The “lucky loser” rule provides players who have lost during a qualifying round of a tournament the opportunity to return to the draw when another competitor pulls due to injury. In regards to this circumstance, Fritz would compete against Kyrgios in the semi-finals.

However, the rule is usually not enacted this late in a grand slam but that hasn’t stopped commentators and the general public from weighing in on the matter and calling for Fritz to be given a shot at the finals while questioning Kyrgios’advance to the finals.

New York Times tennis reporter Christopher Clarey took to Twitter claiming the lucky loser policy in this instance is “worth exploring”.

It happens so rarely, but I still think it’s worth exploring. When a player withdraws this late in a Grand Slam or before a major tour final, the beaten player should be able to take the slot. In this case Fritz would play Kyrgios as a “lucky loser”.

The show must go on

— Christopher Clarey ???????? ???????? ???????? (@christophclarey) July 7, 2022

Clarey’s tweet caused an avalanche of responses on social media, with some users championing for Fritz to be given a chance at the finals.

Thank you, someone needed to say this

— Abhin Jain (@bayern18munchen) July 7, 2022

Thank you, someone needed to say this

— Abhin Jain (@bayern18munchen) July 7, 2022

We were just discussing this. Definitely should be given to Taylor Fritz. Also feel sorry for people who have bought tickets to see two mens semi-finals and it gives Kyrgios an extra rest day which seems unfair on Djokovic and Norrie.

— Marie Haynes???? (@MarieTHaynes) July 7, 2022

Although many supported Fritz’s inclusion into the finals, many stood in opposition citing that “wins should be earned”.

These withdrawals feel disappointing, but it would be absurd if Fritz won the trophy having been defeated by Nadal in the quarterfinals.

— Kamakshi Tandon (@Kamakshi_Tandon) July 7, 2022

No no no no no. You can’t lose in the semis and win a slam. No

— andyroddick (@andyroddick) July 7, 2022

No. If you cant beat a clearly injured guy who is 13 years older than you then you should not pass to the next round.

Wins should be earned in the tennis court, not via legal tricks.

— Eliot Ness (@thexfiles18) July 7, 2022

Several other users took a different view, focusing more on their displeasure at the walkover provided to Kyrgios and that the Australian made it to the finals without having to compete in the semis.

Noooooooooooooooo!!!!! Happy for Nick but I really wanted to see this match. Also I hate walkovers ????

— Margie ????×7 (@marjayhan) July 7, 2022

I think this is such a shame in many ways, Taylor Fritz played so well against him and if Nadal had retired injured during that match, he would have gone through to the semi. As it stands Kyrgios gets to be in the final without playing a semi-final.

— ThornyBint (@ThornyBint) July 7, 2022

One user chose to make light of Kyrgios’ path to the finals.

pic.twitter.com/hXo688viiV

— Andre Aguiar (@aw_aguiar) July 7, 2022

Although one user was sad to see Nadal forced to drop out, they were looking forward to the opportunity for Kyrgios to secure his first grand slam.

Am really saddened to see him have to retire. What a glorious chance that is now for Kyrgios to claim his first grand slam

— David Parkes (@dpnina10) July 7, 2022

Whatever side of the tennis net fans sit on there is no doubt that recent events will provide tennis die-hards with an exciting and action-packed weekend of tennis at Wimbledon.