Rafael Nadal still believes he can win Wimbledon again despite another first week defeat at the All England Club.
Since reaching the final in 2011, Nadal’s has failed to progress beyond the fourth round and was sent spinning out on SW19 by second round rival Dustin Brown.
The deadlocked German, via Jamaica, thrilled the Centre Court with his all or nothing approach and was duly rewarded with a swashbuckling 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
“I’ll keep going and it’s not the end,” said Nadal. “It’s a sad moment but life continues. I have to keep working more than ever to try to change that dynamic.
“I know I’m going to every tournament with the right motivation and 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 but last year and this year there have been no problems. I was ready to compete but I just lost.
“I need to accept these kind of things that can happen. 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.
“But I don’t know if I will be back to the level of 2006, 2007 2008, 2010 or 2011.”
Brown’s victory was hailed by John McEnroe as one of Wimbledon’s greatest upsets.
The 30-year old used to travel to tournaments in a camper van bought by his parents and briefly toyed with representing Great Britain before opting for Germany.
“Obviously Rafa is one of the best players of the sport,” he said.
“I’m happy I got to play him on Centre Court. All the kids that play tennis dream about being able to play on there, it’s so special.
“Also being able to put that performance together, it was definitely very difficult and I’m very happy that I held it together.”
Meanwhile, Roger Federer thrilled Centre Court with an outrageous lob as he moved effortlessly into the third round with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory over American Sam Querrey.
“It just happened to be the right thing but if you don’t win the point you do look a little bit silly,” he said.
“It all happened very quickly and I got a bit lucky.”
