Taylor Fritz ‘not looking for handouts’ as he rejects calls that he should face Nick Kyrgios in Wimbledon semi-final

Wimbledon
Taylor Fritz takes a break

Taylor Fritz has responded to suggestions that he should replace the injured Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon draw and face Nick Kyrgios in the semi-final.

Kyrgios received a walkover into his first-ever Grand Slam final after 22-time major champion Nadal withdrew ahead of their last-four encounter due to an abdominal tear.

The Spaniard struggled with the injury during his five-set victory against Fritz on Tuesday and admitted afterwards that his family wanted him to retire mid-match, but he wanted to complete the encounter.

Rafael Nadal ‘very sad’ as he withdraws from Wimbledon, Nick Kyrgios into maiden Grand Slam final

On Thursday he withdrew from the tournament and it means Kyrgios will advance to Sunday’s final without hitting a ball, leaving some to suggest that Fritz should be reinstated and face the Australia in Friday’s semi-final.

However, the American was having none of it as he replied on Twitter: “Nah not looking for handouts, if I couldn’t beat him [Nadal] then I don’t deserve to be in the semis…simple as that.”

World No 40 Kyrgios, the lowest-ranked player to reach the Wimbledon final since 2003, will face either defending champion Novak Djokovic or Cameron Norrie in Sunday’s Championship match.

Nick Kyrgios Rafael Nadal Taylor Fritz

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