Wimbledon 2017, Day 7 highlights: Rafael Nadal's head-banging act, Benoit Paire's beard and more

Wimbledon’s ‘Manic Monday’ saw Roger Federer reach the quarter-final for the 50th time and Andy Murray sailing past Benoit Paire in his quest to become the first Englishman to defend his title since Fred Perry. In one of the best matches in this year’s tournament, ten-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal lost to Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller in an exciting five-setter that tested both the players to their limits. While Day 8 promises to be an action-packed day with the women’s quarter-finals, let’s take a close look at some of the off-court highlights from Day 7 of Wimbledon 2017.

They call it #ManicMonday for a reason… #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/KMKds1CIgt

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2017

Nadal ‘heads’ out Rafael Nadal banged his head on a door-frame as he prepared to step onto court. The Spaniard bent down to fix his shoelaces then jumped up — unfortunately right in the doorway — only to crack his head. He fell about laughing with opponent Gilles Muller before their marathon match.

Mind your head, @RafaelNadal… #Wimbledon #ManicMonday pic.twitter.com/LBCIhwqyWz

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2017

‘Scarf’-ace As the epic encounter between Nadal and Muller went past the 10-10 point in the final set, the low setting sun was reflecting off a panel into server Nadal’s eyes. The umpire asked for the fans in front of it to stand up but eventually a woman’s scarf was draped over it. What’s age got to do with it? Venus Williams, 37, the oldest player in the women’s fourth round, beat the youngest, 19-year-old Ana Konjuh, who was born seven months after Williams made her Wimbledon debut in 1997. What’s in a name? This year’s Wimbledon has been blessed with good weather so far, so what are the chances of seeing a hurricane? Highly likely. Hurricane Tyra Black is playing in the juniors, along with Thiago Seyboth Wild, Sofia Sewing, Lulu Sun, Trent Bryde and, as an added bonus, Dan Added. Nadal’s grace in defeat

Class in defeat.

After a titanic contest, Rafael Nadal waits to walk off court with opponent Gilles Muller #Wimbledon #ManicMonday pic.twitter.com/1URgEVS9sG — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2017

Quotes of The Day “Tomorrow I shave it. I wanted to keep because I was winning some matches with it, so I said, ‘Don’t touch the beard’.” — Paire says he will remove his bushy beard after being knocked out by Murray “I don’t go to empty house after my loss and just cry there. I go home and spend time with my son. Regardless if I won or lose, he’s still gonna smile when he sees me.” — Victoria Azarenka putting her fourth-round defeat into perspective “If they would put us on Court 20 I wouldn’t mind.” — Never mind Centre Court, Elina Svitolina is happy to play even on a non-existent court “He’s my emotional support animal. My dog let me relax. For me, it’s something which brings me an amazing amount of support. I would travel with him more. If I would be Roger Federer, I would get private jet everywhere and travel with my dog.” — Svetlana Kuznetsova on the role of pet dog, Dolce “It’s too upsetting for him. He hears me, but he doesn’t understand where I am.” — Venus Williams on why she doesn’t video call her dog Harold. Play of the Day

So many to pick from, but this extraordinary rally between Rafael Nadal and Gilles Muller is today’s @HSBC_Sport Play of the Day… pic.twitter.com/d9hz7XaXPJ

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2017

Stats of The Day 14 — The number of nations represented in the women’s fourth round, from 39 at the start of the tournament. Only the United States (Venus Williams, Coco Vandeweghe) and Croatia (Ana Konjuh and Petra Martic) had two players in the last 16. 10 — Ten of the top 16 seeds in the women’s draw made it to the last 16, the most at Wimbledon since 2007. 9 — The number of Grand Slam finalists in the women’s last 16, including six champions and one Wimbledon winner in Williams. 8 — The number of match points required by French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko to finish off Elina Svitolina. 7 — The number of men aged over 30 reaching the round of 16 at Wimbledon in the Open Era. This is the highest number ever.