Despite crashing out of Wimbledon in the second round with a 5-7, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6 defeat to World No 102 Dustin Brown, Spaniard says his career is far from over
Rafael Nadal reacts after dropping a point against Dustin Brown during their second round match on Thursday at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon
London: Rafael Nadal refused to view his Wimbledon second-round defeat by dreadlocked German Dustin Brown as a signpost pointing towards the end of his career.
Rafael Nadal reacts after dropping a point against Dustin Brown during their second round match on Thursday at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon. Pic/AFP
Nadal became the biggest casualty of this year's championships when he crashed to a 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat in a thrilling match on Centre Court to extend his slump in form.
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The 29-year-old Spaniard has now failed to progress beyond the fourth round of Wimbledon since appearing in the final in 2011 and has not reached the semi-final of a Grand Slam since winning the French Open last year.
"Obviously this is a bad moment for me. I need to accept these kind of things that can happen. I have done that all my career," he said.
"I'll keep going — it's not the end. It's a sad moment, but life continues. My career too. I have to keep going and working more than ever to try to change that dynamic.
"I know I am going to every tournament with the right motivation, working well. I think I made all the things well to prepare here this tournament. In 2012 and 2013, I was not competitive because I had too many problems with my knees.
"Last year and this year there have been no problems at all with my knees. I was ready to compete. I lost.
"I don't know if I will be back to the level of 2008 or 2010 or 2007 or 2006 or 2011. "I'm a good loser. When I don't play that well, I always accept it. I am not happy, but I accept that I am not enough good."
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