‘I’m tired of talking about my body’: Nadal shrugs off fitness questions as he advances to last eight of Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal’s physical fitness has been under constant scrutiny in recent months – particularly since his victory at Roland-Garros and the subsequent laser therapy on his chronic foot condition.

And after the second seed won against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (6) to advance to the last eight of Wimbledon, some more questions followed on “some kind of strapping or tape on your abdomen or belly” (reporter’s words) – but ever so politely he made it clear he was not in the mood to answer them.

“Thanks for the question, but I [said] the other day – in the other hand I am a little bit tired to talk about my body,” he said in his post-match press conference. “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.”

Nadal, ranked No 4, will face American Taylor Fritz, the No 11 seed, next.

Earlier in the tournament, the 36-year-old Spaniard defeated Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo (6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4), Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis (6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3) and Italian Lorenzo Sonego, the No 27 seed (6-1, 6-2, 6-4).

Van De Zandschulp, ranked No 25, beat Spaniard Feliciano López (6-2, 6-3, 6-3), Finn Emil Ruusuvuori (3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4) and Frenchman Richard Gasquet (7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-1) in the previous rounds.

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London (Grand Slam), other last 16 results (All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, grass, GBP 40.350.000, most recent results first):

• Taylor Fritz beat Jason Murray Kubler (Q): 6-3, 6-1, 6-4
• Nick Kyrgios beat Brandon Nakashima: 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-2
• Cristian Garin beat Alex De Minaur (19): 2-6, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-4, 7-6 (6)
• Novak Djokovic (1) beat Tim van Rijthoven (WC): 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
• Jannik Sinner (10) beat Carlos Alcaraz (5): 6-1, 6-4, 6-7 (8), 6-3
• Cameron Norrie (9) beat Tommy Paul (30): 6-4, 7-5, 6-4
• David Goffin beat Frances Tiafoe (23): 7-6 (3), 5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5