Rafael Nadal’s dad is seen passionately giving instruction to his injury-stricken son during Wimbledon quarter-final with Taylor Fritz, before Spaniard battles on to win despite abdominal pain
- Rafael Nadal was in visible discomfort during his clash against Taylor Fritz
- Spaniard had strapping on his abdomen and could be seen wincing during play
- He took a medical timeout and his father Sebastian passionately gestured to him
- Some speculated he was telling his son to quit but exact meaning is uncertain
Rafael Nadal’s father passionately passed instruction to his son while the legendary Spanish star struggled with an injury in the Wimbledon quarter-final before battling back to win.
Sebastian, 59, was caught on camera demonstratively telling his son something while he was suffering with abdominal pain.
Some speculated that he was instructing Rafa to stop playing as the injury looked severe.
Rafael Nadal’s father Sebastian was seen passionately passing on instructions
Nadal has pain in his abdomen and battled on in his match with Taylor Fritz
Nadal took a medical timeout midway through the second set having initially called for the trainer.
The 35-year-old was open about suffering an abdominal problem before his quarter-final against Taylor Fritz.
And the issue flared up again in the match, allowing the 24-year-old American to seize the initiative by claiming the first set.
Nadal battled back in the second to take it 7-5 before Fritz pulled ahead again in the fourth, winning it 6-3. Nadal incredibly took the deciding set in a tie break.
Nadal took a medical timeout in the second set and had the trainer come on
During his injury worries earlier in the match, commentator Pat Cash said: ‘It isn’t just the serve, every time you hit the ball it affects your stomach muscles.’
While co-commentator Feliciano Lopez added: ‘I find it’s never easy to play against someone who is injured or someone you think is injured. I’m sure now Taylor might be thinking, ‘Is he really injured? How big is the injury?’
‘A lot of things are going through his mind probably now. It’s not easy. It’s very difficult to handle you know. I’m very keen to see how he’s going to react.
When asked about the strapping after his previous match, Nadal said: ‘Thanks for the question, but I say the other day.
Nadal showed his fighting spirit by continuing to play despite the pain he was in
‘In the other hand I am a little bit tired to talk about my body. It’s not about that I don’t want to answer your question, but in the same time sometimes I am tired about myself, all the issues that I am having. I prefer to not talk about that now. Sorry for that.
‘But I am in the middle of the tournament and I have to keep going, no? All respect for the rest of the opponents. I am just trying my best every single day. For the moment I am healthy enough to keep going and fight for the things that I want.’
The primary concern for Nadal before Wimbledon was his chronic foot issue but the abdomen has been hampering him more and he will have to recover as well as possible before taking on Nick Kyrgios in the semi-final.