Wimbledon 2013 | Rafael Nadal eliminated in first round June 24, 2013

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Wimbledon 2013 | Rafael Nadal eliminated in first round June 24, 2013

Maybe it was fatigue, maybe it was his balky left knee acting up again, or maybe it was the grassy courts at Wimbledon, but Rafael Nadal was in a shocking first-round loss to Belgian Steve Darcis on Monday. Darcis, unseeded and ranked 135 in men's singles, won in straight sets 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 over No. 5 Nadal, fresh off his record eighth French Open title. Darcis scored the match point on a resounding ace.

Wimbledon 2013 | Rafael Nadal eliminated in first round June 24, 2013

Nadal, a 12-time Grand Slam winner, had never lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event and was 34-0 heading into Monday's match. As Nadal battled in the third set, it became increasingly obvious that his left knee, which forced Nadal into a seven-month hiatus last year, was giving him increased pain.

Wimbledon 2013 | Rafael Nadal eliminated in first round June 24, 2013

After the match, Nadal was dismissive of any lingering injury. "It's not the day to talk about these kinds of things. I am confident that I will have a good recovery and be ready for the next tournaments," he said.


Asked if he was targeting Nadal's knee, Darcis said to ESPN, "I think if you start to focus on him, it's tougher. I tried to focus on myself." Nadal's lateral movement was clearly inhibited, and he was unable to reach shots he customarily returns. That may have partially been a result of his transition from the clay courts at Roland Garros to the grass of Wimbledon. 


"In grass it's difficult to adapt yourself, to adapt your game when you don't have a chance to play before. I didn't have that chance this year. It's tougher and I didn't find my rhythm," Nadal said. It's the second-straight year Nadal has faced an early Wimbledon exit. Last year year he was beaten in the second round by Lukas Rosol, which prompted Nadal to sit out and let his knee recover for the rest of the year.

Since returning, Nadal has won seven of the nine tournaments he's entered. He's the first French Open winner to lose in the first round at Wimbledon since 1997. After the match, Darcis was nearly at a loss for words. It was his first win over a top-five opponent. "I don't know what to say right now. I'm really happy," he told ESPN. Darcis owned a 2-6 singles record this year before Monday's triumph. Nadal has won two Wimbledon championships.