Strapping a secret as Nadal shuts down injury talk

Rafael Nadal ducked queries concerning a strapping on his midsection as the Wimbledon quarter-finalist kept the post-match conversation strictly on tennis.

The straight-sets winner over Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp remains in the chase for his first Wimbledon title in a dozen years.

But chit-chat about his physical state is off-limits.

“I’m a little bit tired (of talking) about my body,” the 22-time Grand Slam winner said.

“It’s not that I don’t want to answer your question, but at the same time sometimes I’m tired (of speaking) 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?”

He added: “I’m 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.”

The Spaniard barely made it to Wimbledon, but managed thanks to infusion treatment on a troublesome and chronic foot injury which had remained under constant medical supervision as he won his 14th Roland Garros title last month.