Rafael Nadal, the fifth seed in Wimbledon this year, was the victim of a shocking upset on Day 1 of the grassy Grand Slam event today at the hands of No. 135 Steve Darcis.
Nadal, coming off a French Open victory a few weeks ago, was knocked off in straight sets (7-6 (4), 7-6 (8), 6-4). Darcis' victory wiped out a 22-match winning streak Nadal carried into Wimbledon.
After his stunner, Darcis spoke with reporters and said, "Nobody was expecting this. Rafa did not play his best tennis today. I think if you start to focus on him it is tougher. I tried to focus on myself and what I had to do and I think I did great today."
Nadal's No. 5 seed was criticized before Wimbledon began by many, as Nadal is recognized as one of the top performers in the sport. Former tennis great and current analyst John McEnroe disagreed loudly with Nadal's placement, which he received because of an injury layoff after the French Open.
McEnroe complained that it put him, Roger Federer and Andy Murray all in the same draw. Federer took care of his opponent with ruthless efficiency, dispatching him in just 68 minutes. Nadal and Federer had an opportunity to face off in a quarterfinal that would resemble a final in intensity. That would have been a rematch of the 2008 final, considered one of Wimbledon's finest matches ever, that ended with a Nadal victory.
Perhaps the No. 5 seeding also reflected Nadal's decline on grass. Last year Nadal was beaten by Lukas Rosol in the second round, although that matchup took five sets to finish. Nadal was questioned by reporters whether his sore knee played a part in his defeat, but Nadal wasn't much for talking.
He also made no excuses when he said, "The only thing I can say today is to congratulate Steve Darcis."
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