For 4th year in row, Rafael Nadal loses early at Wimbledon
LONDON – On the final point of the first set of his latest Wimbledon disappointment, Rafael Nadal swung his mighty, lefty forehand – and whiffed, accidentally whacking his right leg with his racket.
It was a painful, embarrassing mistake, symbolic of the sort of day this was.
During five trips to the All England Club from 2006-11, Nadal reached the final every time. In his most recent four appearances, though, Nadal has exited early against an unheralded, unaccomplished and, most importantly, unafraid opponent ranked 100th or worse. On Thursday, Nadal lost 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second round to qualifier Dustin Brown.
“It’s not the end,” Nadal said. “(It’s) a sad moment for me … but life continues. My career, too.”
Toni Nadal, Rafael’s uncle and coach, summed up the Centre Court match this way: “He played really bad. Bad shots. Very bad with his forehand.”
All true. But give credit to Brown and his varied, risky and entertaining brand of tennis, a mix of old-school serve-and-volleying, drop shots, drop volleys and go-for-it returns.
“I had nothing to lose. If I lose 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, everyone says ‘Bravo, Rafa,’ ” Brown said.
The 30-year-old Brown is ranked 102nd, entered Thursday with a 6-11 record in 2015 and has never been past the third round at a major.
No. 10 Nadal, meanwhile, is a former No. 1 and the owner of 14 major titles, tied with Pete Sampras for second-most behind Roger Federer’s 17.
Federer joined Andy Murray and Petra Kvitova as past Wimbledon champions picking up straightforward, straight-set victories Thursday. Federer won 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 over Sam Querrey of the U.S.
In 2012, Nadal lost to No. 100 Lukas Rosol in the second round. In 2013, he lost to No. 135 Steve Darcis in the first. And last year, he lost to No. 144 Nick Kyrgios in the fourth.
Like those guys, Brown played wonderfully. His back-length dreadlocks jumping around as he raced to the net, Brown serve-and-volleyed on 99 of 114 service points, winning 71 of those. He hit serves up to 133 mph.
“Whatever I do is to take him out of his comfort zone,” Brown said.