Two-time champion Rafael Nadal was stunned by 102nd-ranked Dustin Brown in the second round of Wimbledon. The German outplayed Rafa on Centre Court, serving and volleying his way to a 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a ball to Dustin Brown of Germany during their singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Thursday July 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve during his match against Dustin Brown of Germany at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 2, 2015. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a shot during his match against Dustin Brown of Germany at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 2, 2015. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Rafael Nadal of Spain gestures after losing a point to Dustin Brown of Germany during their singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Thursday July 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a volley in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a volley in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point against Dustin Brown of Germany during their singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Thursday July 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his match against Dustin Brown of Germany at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 2, 2015. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the second set during his match against Dustin Brown of Germany at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 2, 2015. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Xisca Perello attends the Dustin Brown v Rafael Nadal match on day four of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at Wimbledon on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Xisca Perello attends the Dustin Brown v Rafael Nadal match on day four of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at Wimbledon on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Xisca Perello (L), girlfriend of Rafael Nadal and Benito Perez Barbadillo (R), Rafael Nadal’s agent watches Rafael Nadal of Spain and Dustin Brown of Germany during their Gentlemens Singles Second Round match during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after returning a shot that was called out during his men’s singles first round match against Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci on day two of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 30, 2015. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE — AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his match against Dustin Brown of Germany at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 2, 2015. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a smash during his match against Dustin Brown of Germany at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 2, 2015. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after a point against Germany’s Dustin Brown during their men’s singles second round match on day four of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 2, 2015 (AFP Photo/Glyn Kirk)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand volley in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain sits in his chair between games in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain sits in his chair between games in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain sits in his chair between games in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain sits in his chair between games in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain sits in his chair between games in his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal (R) of Spain shakes hands with Dustin Brown of Germany after losing his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain, right, and Dustin Brown of Germany shakes hands at the net after Brown defeated Nadal in their singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Thursday July 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spainleaves the court dejected after losing his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Rafael Nadal of Spainleaves the court dejected after losing his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Dustin Brown of Germany during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain, right, and Dustin Brown of Germany leave the court after Brown defeated Nadal in their singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Thursday July 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
I’m simply heartsick for Rafa. I know doing well at this tournament was very important to him and for him. Forget the naysayers and keep your chin up Rafa. You are a great person and awesome tennis player. You’ll find your way back. You don’t want to “retire” in this way. Keep working hard. You will do it!!!
So so sorry, this one had to hurt. You are a champion no matter what you do or what happens. I really believe you will have an up swing. If a fan can be in a slump that would be me. Tiger and Rafa both struggling. I wish you all the best.
Rafa, maybe is time to think about different strategic and different way of training, as all the top players in some point on their life made a big decision to change way or improve game, looking at Murray, Federer, Novak and others, you are much better for sure, you need to work in your technical shots.
I just don’t know what to say or think anymore. Absolutely gutted and deflated.
Please Rafa do something….anything before it is too late.
I still love his style his whole persona. I too wish he could lift himself up and rise to the challenge. Alas it was not to be this Wimbledon, he will be back and I will continue to follow him and his career. He is one of the greatest players of our time. Vamos Rafa and God Bless You.
I have said it several times: YOU CANNOT GET A DIFFERENT RESULT BY DOING THE SAME THINGS THE SAME WAY!
Rafa is afraid of CHANGE, but CHANGE is the only permanent thing in life! Look at what CHANGE has done to the games of Djokovic, Federer, Andy Murray and even Berdych. While they were all retooling their game by adding to their coaching crew, Nadal was busy playing poker! WHAT A SHAME!
Infact, it is so certain NOW that even Nick Kyrgios would have beaten Nadal a 2nd time in a row!!!
The fact is that Nadal has become so easy to beat: All you need to do is to play aggressive, catch the ball on the rise and then let Nadal run from pillar to post…..and then you drive in your winners! Stan wawrinka used this to great effect in the Rome masters – it was so pitiable watching poor Nadal retreching balls, only for Stan to again and again drive the balls to another corner for Nadal to retrieve……..so sad, very sad!
And that explains why those who win against him have many winners than him. Because Nadal prefers the rather lazy, out-worn defensive baseline approach that has become ever so predictable.
Unless and until he retools his game, the way UP for Nadal may continue to be DOWN, DOWN and DOWN.
ps: Thank Goodness Rafa has it in him to be highly self motivated, inspired & keeps playing his beautiful top game!!! Few mistakes makes difference w win/lose but does not take away from Rafa’s outstanding tennis!!!! If you look at other player’s matches….none come near Rafa’s beautiful creative game, skills or endurance…..
The real testimony of Rafa’s tennis genius is that he came back after many months & Uplifted his game , his Speed, his Serve & his serve timing….not to mention his PASSION, powerful fitness & movement along w his ever lasting positive attitude!!!! : ) What an inspiration!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) God bless him!! He is inspired by his own efforts!!!!! Has relevant game thank God, motivated & highly gifted!!!! : ) ci….ci…. VAMOS DEAR RAFA & keep doing what you are blessed with!!!! We LOVE watching you & respect your hard work & amazing on going tennis path!!!! Enjoy your evening with your loved ones & best wishes always moving forward!!! Have nice time back home!!!! : )
J Beer, that’s not a game plan. Everyone knows one must serve well and return well vs a player like Brown. So you think Rafa doesn’t know that??
It’s a matter of Rafa’s poor execution, be it the serves or the returns. Other players like Fed for example, serving well and returning well, will be able to deal with Brown. Whatever game plans one may have, if you fail to execute them well, they become useless.
I never expected Rafa to decline so hard. If things dont turn around soon they never will and it might be time to retire. Sad to see this and wish Rafa all the best.
I so sad today. I did not see the same Rafa. I don’t know what to say. Solo que cuidate mucho y no se que mas te paso hoy. Lo major para ti mi querido Rafa. LO SIENTO EN EL ALMA.
We can keep saying Rafa should get a new coach but we have to accept he is not going to do this either because the problem is him and not Toni or because family is more important than tennis .uncle Toni has made Rafa the player he is today and also the man he is and is that not what we love about Rafa his game and his nature and now we want him to turn his back on his uncle because he is not playing well that wouldn’t be Rafa .I think we forget this has been uncle Toni career as well as Rafa’s and he has given up a lot of family life with his children to coach his nephew all that said maybe we have to accept that Rafa’s tennis career maybe near its end and as much as I adore him I would prefer him to retire now than to carry on and end up becoming a joke
Vamos dear Rafa!!! : ) This was a fast , exciting & skillful game by you….. !!!! Your serve was beautiful w a couple of mistakes that turned the match around….. YOU WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES SOON & over all, it was beautiful to see you up there playing so well!!!! You moved so well on grass and there will be other tours & chances to keep playing moving forward!!! Vamos & God bless you sweetheart !!!!! : ) We loved seeing you play w such competitive edge & strength & endurance….& if it went onto 5th, there is a great chance you would have won because he was tired by the beginning of the 4th set….
In term of draw: Other top players got easier draw , as usual…. yours seems always challenging…..even the old announcer mentioned that – nothing new…. makes zero sense why you are always given most physical & psychological challenging draws ….. compered to other when you are the one selling tickets and filling up stadiums…. we love you & adore your persistence & presence on the court!!! You have risen above before dear Rafa & your game is relevant & you can do it again moving forward. VAMOS !!!! Today’s match clearly was a real eye opener that you are as competitive as ever & your strength & endurance are all in tact.
Seems clear the opponent watched closely many of your previous wins on replay to learn your game & your moves…..but he has not much history on video for replays….
Thank you dear Rafa ….regardless …..it was an awesome game & if we take all the bs politics out of tournaments you are still the best fighter in town!!!! God bless you & good luck moving forward!!!!
Have responded on a different website. Do we have too many? Brown fed into all the weaknesses of Rafa,s game. It can only be of benefit to Rafa and his team. To loseis often to win, provided that you learn from the exchange. Rafa Nadal is still my all time idol for PROFESSIONAL tennis. Rafa is a true spirit and a true gentleman. he has all my love and respect. keep the faith. All of you out there. Jean Palmer. Winnipeg. MB Canada.
I don’t know what to say! There was NO gameplan and again a lot of UE with the forehand. Something must happend know!
I agree with J Beer.
Rafa. GET A COACH! Love you. Love Toni. But seriously. You need some new tricks. I’m sick! Been no 1 fan for 10 years and remain so but want you to win and you can. But everyone at some time need change. As did your friend federer. He finally gave in and looked what happened!!!!!! Xo
I would even make the advice more clear. Either Rafa should quit, in order to protect his legacy (for he will be nothing more than a top 100 player if he continues like this), or hire 1) a phychologist 2) new staff. He’s been acting like a loser for 13 months now and has found no solutions on Wimbledon grass since 2011. Quit or change drastically!
Por favor Rafa a mas de tu tio Tonny necesitas otro coach, tu tienes juego pero necesitas cambios, Please.
I’m gutted for Rafa ,,,,where will Rafa go from here ,,,home I hope to have some fun with his family ,loads of love Rafa ,
Wimbeldon is over for me (I will watch the women)…hope that Rafa gets his confidence back soon. Hate to see him this way..
Any more fans who like to say that all is well with Rafa? A good team of coaches would have come up with a game plan, after the humiliation of last year in Halle. But no, Toni cs did not learn anything and Rafa, a step or two slower that he is these days, bails out once again. I have had enough, more than enough!
What game plan?? There’s no game plan vs a player like Brown. All one has to do is to serve well, hold your own serve and wait for your opportunities.
Rafa lost it when he DF away his service game in the 3rd set 6th game. It’s not like he didn’t have any chances to break – in the 3rd game first set when Brown was serving and was 0-40 down, Rafa mis-hit two returns and missed his chance for a break. Against a player like Brown who serves big, hit hard, moves fast and rushes to the net so often, Rafa has to take his chances when they come, no matter how few there are.
I have no doubt the Rafa of the past who played clutch tennis would beat this Brown, too bad the Rafa now is not the same one we known from the past. A player like Fed or Murray would dispatch this Brown maybe in four or five sets!
Rafa just isn’t clutch anymore, I mean why does he DF away a game when holding serves is so important vs a player like Brown?? His FH when under pressure becomes so unreliable, his ROS leaves much to be desired! On grass your serve and returns are so important and Rafa failed at both.
Perhaps he’s no longer capable on grass, maybe just concentrate on the slower courts and skips grass in the future.
I will tell you about gameplan. You know what will happen to brown in R3 or R4 or god forbid the QF? He will lose without having a chance, because he will run into a player who plays with a strategy. Rafa handed in set 4, by choking in game 1 and hitting two UE with his FH (which was working PERFECTLY according to the female experts here in R1 – for crying out loud, Rafa had a negative W-UE in his first match!!). He plays without belief, he loses 90% of the points where his opponent plays the dropshot and his returns are not strong either. New coach or quit. And I tell – he will quit if it goes on like this, cause he will not be able to deal with too many of these blows anymore.
Its painful to see how bad he is playing , always in defense no plan b or c. I think his team are not doing the job right. They are not studying the opponents and are not improving his strategy.