Rafael Nadal was looking forward to a long break after his Wimbledon was ended in spectacular fashion, 6-7 (9-11), 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 by Czech number 100 Lukas Rosol in the second round on Thursday.
It was the first time since 2005 at Wimbledon that the world number two was beaten this early in a Grand Slam.
“I’m very, very disappointed, I’m not very happy,” said the 11-time Grand Slam winner. “(Losing) in the second round ... this is not semifinals or final, so that bothers more, because then you feel that you had the chance to win the title.
“I just was in the second round. That’s painful, because it’s always tough to lose.” Nadal, who less than three weeks ago was celebrating tennis history after claiming a seventh title at Roland Garros on clay, added: “That’s sport. You win, you lose. The last four months were great for me. Was probably one of the best four months of my career, playing unbelievable in the clay court season.
“You arrive here, you play against an inspired opponent and I am out. That’s all. Is not a tragedy. Is only a tennis match.” Nadal, who will return to Wimbledon in a month for the London Olympics, said that there are worse things in the world.
“That’s life. There are much more important things. Sure, I wanted to win, but I lost. That’s it,” he said.
“It wasn’t the best match for me, but that’s what it is and what I accept. Accept that he came back and played unbelievable the fifth set.
“I think I played a great fourth set and the stop (to close the roof ahead of the fifth) didn’t help me. The only thing that I can do is come back home, rest. That’s what I can do, nothing else.”
