Nadal is knocked out of Wimbledon

Rafael Nadal has been beat by Belgian Steve Darcis at Wimbledon 2013

By Nicole Hamer |

12:15 25 June 2013

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal has been knocked out of this year’s Wimbledon. The star was defeated by Steve Darcis, of Belgium – who is seen as the world’s number 135 – in the first round with the score closing at 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.

Nadal, who is famed for his play on clay, recently won the French Open 2013 but his time on grass at Wimbledon came to a close earlier than what many people may have expected.

The Spaniard said: “My opponent played well, I had my chances but didn’t make them. On grass it is difficult to adapt your game.”

The outcome for Nadal bears a resemblance to Venus Williams’ situation last year at Wimbledon, as she was beat early on by Elena Vesnina.

In other tennis, Swiss Roger Federer beat Victor Hanescu on the first day of play of this year’s Wimbledon Championships.

On Tuesday, 25th June, some matches that are scheduled to take place include; USA’s Serena Williams versus Mandy Minella, and Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, versus Germany’s Florian Mayer.

This year’s Wimbledon Championships in London marks the 127th Wimbledon tournament.