World No. 1 Rafael Nadal lost in the second round of the Gerry Weber Open, beaten by Dustin Brown 6-4, 6-1 in the Spaniard’s first tournament since winning a record ninth French Open.
“I didn’t play. That can happen when you play an opponent like this. But I don’t want to talk about the opponent. The only way I could have tried to do more was resisting with my serve, something I hadn’t practiced a lot these days. For the first four games he didn’t put any returns on the court and then suddenly he was playing winners from the return, so it’s difficult to analyze these kinds of matches. The only thing I can do is keep working the way that I did the last three days, because I came here, I tried hard, I tried my best,” said Rafa.
Rafa’s next tournament is Wimbledon beginning on June 23rd.
Win or lose, always with Rafa!
Photos: Getty Images, AP Photo, RNFC
Dustin Brown was by far rhe better player on the day. I have every faith in Rafa to learn from rhis. any player who reached the last rounds of the French Open must have been exhausted. The fast turnaround from clay to grass is unrealistic,to say the least. The brilliance of Rafa is his ability to assess his performances honestly. ..he then is able to figure out his next move and adapt his game. Keep on being your own man Rafa… We here in Winnipeg think the world of you ….Remember Rudyard Kipling,s poem “IF” ” If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster …And treat those two imposters just the same “. It is written above the doorway that leads to Centre Court at Wimbledon. Fred Perry knew this well. He won Wimbledon three times.In 1935 Perry also came from winning at Roland -Garros in the same year (incidentally reaching the mens doubles semifinal as well in Paris) to go on to win Wimbledon. …….You can too……..All our love to you. the Winnipeg Fan Club, Manitoba
Canada. Onward and Upward.
Congrads. to Dustin Brown for his win today, I am strictly a Rafa fan all the way but today was Dustins Day to shine! he played some awesome Tennis. for ever a Rafa Fan get some well needed rest .Rafa!