Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Twelve-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal crashed to one of the most humiliating defeats in Wimbledon history at the hands of Belgium8217;s world number 135 Steve Darcis today.
Journeyman Darcis clinched a shock 7-6 7/4,7-6 10/8,6-4 win to condemn the fifth-seed Spanish superstar to a first ever loss in the opening round of a major.
It also came just two weeks after Nadal,the 2008 and 2010 Wimbledon champion,had celebrated a record eighth French Open title.
The sensational result was the first time since Gustavo Kuerten in 1997 that a French Open champion had lost in the opening round at Wimbledon.
Nadal8217;s last loss to such a low-ranked player was to Joachim Johansson,the world 690,at the 2006 Stockholm Open.
The defeat,which followed Nadal8217;s second round shocker at the hands of Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic at last year8217;s Wimbledon,brought to an end his 22-match winning streak in 2013.
Darcis,29,and nicknamed 8216;Shark8217;,had come into Wimbledon with just two wins under his belt on the tour all year.
8220;Nobody was expecting my win today. I don8217;t know what to say. I8217;m really happy,8221; said Darcis,who has now matched his best performance at the All England Club having reached second round in 2009.
8220;OK,Nadal didn8217;t play his best tennis,but I knew the first match on grass is always difficult. For me it is a big win.
8220;I tried to come into the net,it worked pretty good.
8220;He lost early last year as well,but if you try to focus on him it is tougher. I try to focus on myself and I think I did great today.
8220;I always played good on grass,maybe not here because I had tough draws,but I have two wins against top 10 players on grass.8221;
