Wimbledon: Rafael Nadal knocked out in 1st round

London, June 25: Twelve time grand slam Champion Rafael Nadal crashed to one of the humiliating defeats in the Wimbledon history at the hands of Belgium's world number 135 Steve Darcis.

A disconsolate and shell-shocked Rafael Nadal refused to blame injury after crashing out of Wimbledon in the first round to a 1500-1 outsider in straight sets.

The Spaniard, who two weeks ago was celebrating his return from a severe knee injury by winning his 12th grand slam title at Roland Garros, was beaten 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 by the Belgian Steve Darcis, a player ranked 130 places below him.

It was the first time in his career that Nadal had ever been defeated in the first round of a grand slam. Before Monday, he was the only player to have held a No1 ranking who could claim such a record. Nadal refused to be drawn on whether he was affected by injury, but appeared unwilling to slide on his knee and during the final set gingerly tested it several times and appeared to be limping.

"It is not the right day. I tried my best out there in every moment. The opponent played well, I had my chances. I didn't make it," he said. "The only thing that I can say today is to congratulate Steve Darcis. He played a fantastic match. Everything that I will say today about my knee is an excuse, and I don't like to put (forward) any excuse when I'm losing a match like I lost today. He deserves not one excuse.

"Darcis, 29, and nicknamed 'Shark', had come into Wimbledon with just two wins under his belt on the tour all year.

"Nobody was expecting my win. I don't know what to say. I'm really happy," said Darcis, who has now matched his best performance at the All England Club having reached the second round in 2009.

Day 1 Singles Results

Men's singles:

Steve Darcis defeats Rafael Nadal (5) 7-6, 7-6, 6-4

Roger Federer (3) defeats Victor Hanescu 6-3, 6-2, 6-0

Murray defeats Becker 6-4 6-3 6-2

Women's singles:

Maria Sharapova (3) defeats Kristina Mladenovic 7-6, 6-3

Victoria Azarenka (2) defeats Maria Joao Koehler 6-1, 6-2

Steve Darcis of Belgium

Steve Darcis of Belgium plays a return to Rafael Nadal of Spain during their Men's first round singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon.

Roger Federer of Switzerland

Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after beating Victor Hanescu of Romania in their Men's first round singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon.

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia

Lleyton Hewitt of Australia volleys to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during their Men's first round singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon.

Maria Sharapova of Russia

Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts after winning the first set against Kristina Mladenovic of France during their Women's first round singles match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon.

OneIndia News

(with agency inputs)