Wimbledon 2022: Novak Djokovic Happy To Put On Sunday Best after Nick Kyrgios Fireworks

03.07.2022 - 09:39 sports.ndtv.com

Novak Djokovic admits he is a convert to Wimbledon's new middle Sunday play rule as the three-time defending champion aims at reaching the quarter-finals for the 13th time.

Top seed Djokovic, seeking to move level with Pete Sampras as a seven-time champion at the All England Club, faces Dutch wild card Tim van Rijthoven, the world number 104.

His last-16 tie will be the highlight of a landmark day which sees play scheduled at the tournament for the first time on the middle Sunday.

It has traditionally been a rest day at Wimbledon with the exception of 1991, 1997, 2004 and 2016 when rain in the opening week forced a quick planning reset. "All the other Grand Slams are playing on mid Sunday.

tennis on Nick Kyrgios Carlos Alcaraz Jannik Sinner Novak Djokovic Pete Sampras Tim Van-Rijthoven Netherlands Spain Italy

Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from Wimbledon late on Thursday night leaves Cameron Norrie’s clash with Novak Djokovic as the only men’s semi-final on day 12 at SW19.

Novak Djokovic eyes Wimbledon glory after Rafael Nadal pulls out

Rafael Nadal no longer stands in the way of a 21st Grand Slam triumph. The Spanish second seed was Thursday forced to pull out before his last-four match against Nick Kyrgios with an abdominal injury, admitting defeat in his race to be fit. Nadal's withdrawal deprives the tournament of a blockbuster semi-final against Kyrgios, which had been on the cards since the Australian beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in a bad-tempered third-round match.

Wimbledon 2022 - Rafael Nadal has 7mm abdominal tear ahead of Nick Kyrgios clash - reports

Second seed Rafael Nadal suffered a 7mm abdominal tear in his quarter-final win at Wimbledon ahead of his clash with Nick Kyrgios, reports have revealed. The Spaniard somehow managed to continue his quest to secure a historic Calendar Slam in 2022 after he roared back to beat Fritz in a marathon quarter-final. It took all of Nadal's famous mental strength and physical resilience to come through the encounter with a scoreline of 3-6 7-5 3-6 7-5 7-6 to reach the semi-finals.

Watch: Novak Djokovic's Funny Celebration After Nailing Incredible Backhand In Wimbledon Quarterfinals Win Over Jannik Sinner

Six-time champions Novak Djokovic came from two sets down to beat Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Wimbledon. During the five-set thriller at the Centre Court on Tuesday, Djokovic was at his best as he unleashed a stunning running backhand winner against his Italian opponent. Leading 30-30, 4-2 in the final set, the top-seed was already off-balance after returning Sinner's serve and had to quickly reach the other side to return the latter's forehand. He, however, left everyone awestruck by producing a stunning backhand crosscourt winner, before celebrating it by making a Superman-like flying pose.

Wimbledon 2022: Novak Djokovic Battles From Two Sets Down To Reach 11th Semi-final

Defending champion Novak Djokovic battled back from two sets to love down to defeat Jannik Sinner and reach his 11th Wimbledon semi-final on Tuesday. Djokovic triumphed 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 and will face either Britain's Cameron Norrie or David Goffin of Belgium for a place in Sunday's final. It was the seventh time in the Serb's career that he had recovered from two sets to love at the Slams. "Huge congrats to Jannik for a big fight, he's so mature for his age, he has plenty of time ahead of him," said Djokovic.