Double Wimbledon blow after injury cruels Aussie
A combination of 'everything' forced the world No.44 to retire during the second set of his clash with fifth seed Taylor Fritz who called the Australian 'valiant' for even getting onto the court for the fourth round clash.
Thompson rebuffed the compliment from his opponent and having battled injury leading into and during the tournament, said rest would be crucial to be able to prepare for the US Open.
That would likely mean giving up his doubles campaign with French partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert, having lost last year's final with fellow Aussie Max Purcell.
'Everything in my body's already aggravated, and I think I just made it worse,' Thompson said having shaken hands with his opponent down 3-0 and 40-o after losing the opening set.
'It's just my back. And my legs are obviously very tight from compensating. Reaching up to get that lob, I don't think that my back liked it very much, and neither did my legs.'
'Honestly, I feel like a bit of a pussy pulling out. I wouldn't call it valiant.'
It was still the best singles return at Wimbledon for Thompson who almost didn't start the event before consecutive five-set matches took their toll.
'I've been sore every day, and was kind of waiting for it to happen,' said the 31-year-old, who missed out on making his maiden grand slam quarter-final.
'I had been thinking of not playing this tournament. So I'm now just taking the positives, it's my best result here, so it's still a great tournament.'
He said it would be a 'miracle' if he played out the doubles.
'It's looking that way,' he said.
'I told my partner, if by some miracle, I wake up tomorrow morning and feel like I have been in the previous matches that I'll play, but I'd say a 95 per cent chance of not.'
His exit leaves Alex de Minaur to carry Australian hopes as the lone singles player among the original 17-strong contingent and Thompson is confident Australia's top player can topple eight-time champ Novak Djokovic on Centre Court on Monday night.
'Well, Demon's beaten him before and I haven't,' said Thompson.
''If he believes he can win, he can. He's the underdog, so, hopefully, he plays freely and just takes it to him.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Crowds expected as city 'strongest' event returns
Peterborough's Strongest is returning to Cathedral Square on Saturday, with hundreds of people expected to attend. Organised by Peterborough Positive, in partnership with Royals Gym, the free event will run from 10am to 5pm with competitors of all levels battling it out throughout the day. Challenges include the return of the 'Truck Pull' along with an introduction of the Viking Log Walk, a test of grit, balance and endurance, organisers said. Pep Cipriano, chief operating officer at Peterborough Positive, said the event not only entertains people but also helps "drive footfall into the city centre" supporting local businesses while creating memorable experiences. 'Real sense of occasion' "It's brilliant to see athletes and visitors engaging with this unique and inspiring competition, right in the heart of the city," he said. The event will be overseen by World Strongman Games athlete Craig Candler as head referee, and Josh Stanley, who placed third at the UK Natural Strongman event, as second referee. PJ Carter, current International Powerlifting League (IPL) Bench Press world number two, will again host it. Sam Fowler, founder of Royals Gym, said: "We're thrilled to be back in Cathedral Square. It's a fantastic location that creates an electric atmosphere and gives the competition a real sense of occasion. "Last year's event drew in an amazing crowd, and we're excited to build on that momentum with even more athletes competing this time around." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story More than 60 compete in city's 'Strongest' contest Related internet links Peterborough Positive
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How to watch Liverpool vs Athletic Club for FREE: TV channel and live stream for pre-season friendlies today
Liverpool conclude their pre-season matches tonight with a double-header against Athletic Club at Anfield. The Reds began their Premier League title defence preparations away to Preston North End last month, winning that match and a subsequent outing against Stoke City before being beaten by AC Slot's side then wrapped up their pre-season tour of Asia with a 3-1 victory over Yokohoma in the World Challenge, a match which brought a debut for Hugo Ekitike and a maiden Liverpool goal for Florian Wirtz. Now, fresh from unveiling their new adidas kit and the squad numbers of summer signings including Wirtz (No 7) and Ekitike (No 22), and as the club's latest transfer saga continues, Liverpool will host their La Liga opponents for a pair of back-to-back friendlies, kicking off at 5pm and 8pm BST. With the chance to field two different starting line-ups against the Basque outfit, who finished fourth in the Spanish top flight and reached the Europa League semi-finals last season, Slot could provide clues as to his first-choice XI ahead of next weekend's Community Shield, held at Wembley against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. After that the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season will be upon us, kicked off by the Reds welcoming Bournemouth to Merseyside. How to watch Liverpool vs Athletic Club for FREE TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on LFCTV. Coverage is due to begin at 4pm BST on Monday, August 4, 2025, ahead of the 5pm and 8pm kick-offs. Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via All Red Video (formerly LFCTV GO). A monthly subscription starts at £4.99, however the service offers a one-month free trial, allowing you to watch tonight's game at no cost. Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport's double live blog!
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Eddie Howe's concerning admission, as Alexander Isak situation 'unsettles' teammates
EDDIE Howe admits Newcastle United's players have been affected by Alexander Isak's situation, with the head coach sensing a "feeling around the group". Isak is training alone after making it known he wished to explore his options amid Liverpool's transfer interest and failed first bid for the striker. Howe last night said "it's clear at the moment we can't involve him with the group" and the head coach admitted he doesn't expect the striker to be involved in next week's Premier League opener at West Ham. With Newcastle having so far failed to strengthen their forward line with a new striker this summer, Will Osula led the line in last night's 2-2 draw with Espanyol and Anthony Gordon is expected to take up the role in this afternoon's game against Atletico Madrid. Isak, meanwhile, will continue to train alone, and Howe admits the striker's situation has had an impact on his teammates. RECOMMENDED READING: Everything Eddie Howe said about Alexander Isak in frank & revealing press conference Newcastle striker situation laid bare amid Isak absence but two transfer boosts 'I think the group has been disrupted, of course, but I think whenever you have a player in this situation, it's unsettling for the team," he said. 'I don't think we've been in that position since I've been here, the harmony and togetherness of the group has been at its highest, so I think naturally it's just been a topic of conversation, it's been a distraction and the biggest hit we've taken is we're not blessed with a number of players in his position, so I think you've seen a big gap. 'But I have to say, big credit to the players because they've got on with their work, training has been of a really high level. "I haven't seen a negative output on the pitch, but I have been aware of a feeling around the group that there's something there that's not to the benefit of the group." Howe has stressed the power of unity ever since his Newcastle arrival, and this current situation is a new challenge for the head coach on Tyneside. "As I said, the group's been together since the moment I stepped through the door," he said. "We had our challenges, we had big mountains to climb on the pitch, but we were always united off the pitch. 'It's been one of our biggest strengths and that's why we've been successful. "So it doesn't mean that we can't overcome this and come back even stronger, and I think that's what I have to work really hard on with a group of players that will fight and give everything for the football club, that we use any adversity or any challenge to our benefit."
