Having previously been robbed of the chance to defend his 2008 Wimbledon title, it would be a cruel blow should Rafael Nadal be forced to withdraw from SW19 again - but the Spaniard's loss could be Andy Murray and Britain's gain.
The world No. 1 and reigning champion fears a foot injury suffered during his four-set last-16 victory overJuan Martin Del Potro could finish his tournament and will undergo an MRI scan on Tuesday.
He at least has 24 hours before his next match, againstMardy Fish on Wednesday, but the 25-year-old top seed and tournament favourite cut a dejected figure following his gritty victory over Del Potro.
"I don't know what the problem is, I will get it checked out. I'm worried for sure," he said. "At one moment at the end of the first set I thought I might have to retire.
"To hit my forehand was very tough. I felt something really strange when it was at 6-5 in the first set when I called to the trainer.
"I pushed hard with a forehand and I just felt something crush in the back of the foot. I didn't know what went on. I changed the position of the foot so I was able to continue but with pain.
"I'm going to do the MRI. We'll see what's going on. I cannot predict the future. I am checking with the doctors, with the physios. They are trying. We are trying to do our best as fast as possible.
"Let's see what's going on and let's see how the MRI looks. And after, let's see if we have the chance to recover for Wednesday. I don't know."
They are close friends off the court and no professional would ever want to see another miss out through injury, yet there is no question the muscular Mallorcan's absence would increase Murray's chances of becoming the first Brit in 75 years to win at SW19.
Nadal's absence would leave Murray with a clear path to the final with the unseeded Feliciano Lopez his next opponent on Wednesday and Fish, the big-serving 10th seed, to come in the semis.
Of course, both are opponents who should command Murray's respect - they are particularly dangerous on grass - yet they are players the Scot, who put on his best showing of the tournament in ousting Richard Gasquet on Monday, really should be beating.
Even should Nadal continue - and it would be a huge surprise were he not to at least start his match against Fish - it appears the Spaniard won't be firing on all cylinders.
And, with the margins between defeat and victory so slender in his recent matches with Murray, it could be all it takes to swing the balance in the British No. 1's favour.
Of course, even should he reach the final there is the small matter of, in all likelihood, Roger Federer or Novak Djokovicawaiting - yet Nadal's absence would certainly raise hopes that maybe, just maybe, this might be Murray's year.
The world No. 1 and reigning champion fears a foot injury suffered during his four-set last-16 victory overJuan Martin Del Potro could finish his tournament and will undergo an MRI scan on Tuesday.
He at least has 24 hours before his next match, againstMardy Fish on Wednesday, but the 25-year-old top seed and tournament favourite cut a dejected figure following his gritty victory over Del Potro.
"I don't know what the problem is, I will get it checked out. I'm worried for sure," he said. "At one moment at the end of the first set I thought I might have to retire.
"To hit my forehand was very tough. I felt something really strange when it was at 6-5 in the first set when I called to the trainer.
"I pushed hard with a forehand and I just felt something crush in the back of the foot. I didn't know what went on. I changed the position of the foot so I was able to continue but with pain.
"Let's see what's going on and let's see how the MRI looks. And after, let's see if we have the chance to recover for Wednesday. I don't know."
They are close friends off the court and no professional would ever want to see another miss out through injury, yet there is no question the muscular Mallorcan's absence would increase Murray's chances of becoming the first Brit in 75 years to win at SW19.
Nadal's absence would leave Murray with a clear path to the final with the unseeded Feliciano Lopez his next opponent on Wednesday and Fish, the big-serving 10th seed, to come in the semis.
Of course, both are opponents who should command Murray's respect - they are particularly dangerous on grass - yet they are players the Scot, who put on his best showing of the tournament in ousting Richard Gasquet on Monday, really should be beating.
Even should Nadal continue - and it would be a huge surprise were he not to at least start his match against Fish - it appears the Spaniard won't be firing on all cylinders.
And, with the margins between defeat and victory so slender in his recent matches with Murray, it could be all it takes to swing the balance in the British No. 1's favour.
Of course, even should he reach the final there is the small matter of, in all likelihood, Roger Federer or Novak Djokovicawaiting - yet Nadal's absence would certainly raise hopes that maybe, just maybe, this might be Murray's year.
