Rafael Nadal crashes out in Wimbledon first round!

Oh my ….!?!

If people were shocked about Rafa losing to Rosol in last year’s second round in Wimbledon, well this was much worse.

In fact, this year it happened in the first round, at the hands of the world no.135 (Rosol was ranked at that time world no.100), it was in straight sets (last year it was in 5) and it was outdoor (last year it was under a closed roof)… so it was a real mess for Rafa.

The match lasted 2 hours and 54 minutes with a very uncomfortable Rafa. The Spanish legend had huge problems in his movements to be often late.  Darcis played a good game (not fantastic), but that was clearly enough for today’s Rafa.

Probably the world no.5 is paying for not having trained enough on the grass (he arrived in Wimbledon only 6 days ago) or he may have some problems to his knee. 

From Rafa

“Sometimes you play well and you have the chance to win,” said Nada “Sometimes you play worse and your opponent plays well and you lose. I just want to congratulate Darcis. I think he played a fantastic match. At the end it is not a tragedy. That is sport.” 

“Two weeks ago I was in a fantastic situation, winning a fantastic tournament [at Roland Garros]. Two weeks later, I lost here in the first round. That’s the positive and the negative thing about this sport. It is tough losing in the first round.”

 

From Steve 

An elated Darcis commented “Nobody was expecting me to win. 

I knew that it would be very, very difficult. But it was a great match from the start to the end. Rafa is just the second guy in the Top 10 that I have beaten. It’s one of my greatest wins. So I’m really, really happy today.”

 

Next vs. Kubot

Steve will play Kubot in the second round. Head to head 1-0 for Kubot

2013 Roland Garros Draw - Men