Rafael Nadal's Tormentor (Photo : Reuters/Stefan Wermuth)
The fate of Rafael Nadal's Wimbledon campaign hasn't changed in the last four years.
The former top-ranked Spaniard bid adieu at the All England Club on Thursday, dropping his out from the second round by Dustin Brown 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, on Centre Court.
Brown, the German qualifier ranked at 102, controlled the tempo of their match, forcing the two-time Wimbledon champion out of his rhythm.
"I have nothing to lose," Brown said in a post-match interview. "It's a lot easier for me."
"Coming playing the first time on Centre Court. It was awkward. I thought I would freak out a bit," he continued. "I don't know if it was the match in Halle but being on the court with him made me feel comfortable."
"But if I lose no one's going to say anything bad. My game doesn't let him play his game," Brown said.
Since finishing behind Novak Djokovic in 2011, Nadal has struggled on the grass court. He exited the second round in 2012 to Czech Lukas Rosol, and the year after, he lost in the first round against Belgian Steve Darcis.
Last year, teenage sensation Nick Kyrgios ousted the 29-year-old Spaniard in the last 16.
At the post-match interview, Nadal admitted he was prepared to compete, but like the past exits, he easily came to terms of his defeat.
"I have to keep going and working more than ever to try to change that dynamic. I am a good loser. I always accept. I am not happy, but I accept that I am not good enough," Nadal said.
"I don't know if I will be back to the level of 2008 or other years. If I don't make that happen - well, I played five finals here, and took the trophy home two times, so it's not bad," he added.
Nadal has struggled on the London grass courts since he finished a runner-up to Novak Djokovic in 2011. He lost in the second round in 2012 to Czech Lukas Rosol, followed by a first-round defeat to Belgium's Steve Darcis the following year. Last year, the 29-year-old Spaniard lost to Australian teenager Nick Kyrgios in the last 16.
Brown dominated the match, firing 58 winners and rushed to the net 85 times.
After winning the first and third sets, he set the tone of the match in the fourth by starting a rally and forcing Nadal's shots outside.
The Spaniard clawed back from a 2-0 hole, but Brown snuffed Nadal's attempt to mount a comeback. The German set up two more match points, winning with his 13th ace.
