World number two Rafael Nadal insisted “it’s only a tennis match” after being dumped out of Wimbledon by unknown Czech Lukas Rosol.
Rosol pulled off one of the biggest Wimbledon shocks in living memory by dumping two-time champion out at the second-round stage in a five set epic.
When the 26-year-old from Brno lost the first set on a tie-break, it appeared he was on his way to becoming the latest in a long line of low-ranked players to be swept aside by one of the game's leading names early in a grand slam tournament.
But the right-hander stumbled across the correct formula to come back against the 11 time grand slam winner and send him packing 6-7 (11/9) 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4.
Rosol said: "It is a miracle for me - I never expected this. There are so many emotions. He is a superstar but I played unbelievable today. I hope I can play one more match like this.
"I am happy and congratulations to Rafa. He played a good match but I was better."
Nadal praised his conqueror, saying: "In the fifth set he played more than unbelievable. In the first three sets I didn't play well.
"I never want to make an excuse after a match. The only thing I can do is go back home and rest, and I need and deserve it."
"I'm very, very disappointed. It's not a tragedy, it's only a tennis match."
Nadal's exit means that he no longer sits in Andy Murray's half of the draw. The British number one has fallen foul of the Spaniard at the semi-final stage in each of the last two years and is into the third round after beating Ivo Karlovic in four sets earlier in the day.
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