Rafael Nadal leaves Wimbledon: Everything we know, and what it means for Nick Kyrgios

Tennis champion Rafael Nadal leaves Wimbledon due to injury, which shapes the course of Nick Kyrgios as he advances toward the finals with a bye.

2022 could have been Rafael Nadal’s year.

The 36-year-old tennis champion has had plenty of winning years, to be sure, but none have resulted in a complete Grand Slam: winning the Australian Open, the French Open, the US Open and Wimbledon in the same calendar year.

Already, Nadal took home gold this year at the Australian Open and French Open, but he unfortunately was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon due to an abdominal tear.

With his two championships this year, Nadal was the only one with a shot at the Grand Slam in 2022.

As Rafa sees an early exit from the British tennis championship, it opens an avenue for scheduled opponent Nick Kyrgios. Because of Nadal’s withdrawal, Kyrgios now has a clear path to the men’s final as he is granted a bye.

Rafael Nadal injury: Everything we know

In the proposed Nadal-Kyrgios match, Nadal was expected to advance to the final to face Novak Djokovic. Djokovic is currently the favorite to win the final, and with Djokovic now facing Kyrgios, the odds could be even more in his favor.

What Nadal’s exit means for Nick Kyrgios

Although there was no guarantee, it was expected that Rafael Nadal would advance to the men’s final. Now, it’s guaranteed that Kyrgios will advance to the final with a bye, which gives him an opportunity for a shot at the title that he likely would not have had.

Kyrgios is also in the news because an assault charge levied against him in December 2021 by ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari is now being scheduled for court. Kyrgios is due in court in Canberra, Australia, next month.