Nadal's shock exit

Rafael Nadal of Spain waves goodbye to the Wimbledon crowd after falling in straight sets to Belgium's Steve Darcis -- the Spaniard's first first-round exit in a Grand Slam -- on Monday. PHOTO: AFP

Rafael Nadal suffered Wimbledon humiliation at the hands of Belgian world number 135 Steve Darcis on Monday, a shock first round defeat which cleared the title paths of Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
Journeyman Darcis clinched a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (10/8), 6-4 win to condemn the fifth-seed Spanish superstar to a first ever loss in the opening round of a major.
It also came just two weeks after 12-time Grand Slam title winner Nadal, the 2008 and 2010 Wimbledon champion, had celebrated a record eighth French Open crown.
The sensational result was the first time since Gustavo Kuerten in 1997 that a French Open champion had lost in the opening round at Wimbledon.
The defeat followed Nadal's second round shocker at the hands of Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic at last year's Wimbledon.
But he refused to blame his constant struggles with his knees for defeat.
"It's not the right day (to discuss my knees). I tried my best in every moment, but it was not possible this afternoon," said Nadal.
"On grass, it's difficult to adapt when you don't have a chance to play on the surface before Wimbledon.
"Darcis deserved to win today."
Darcis, 29, and nicknamed 'Shark', had come into Wimbledon with just two wins under his belt on the tour all year.
"Nobody was expecting my win today," said Darcis, who has now matched his best performance at the All England Club having reached the second round in 2009.
Second seeded Murray made history as the world number two cruised into the second round with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Germany's Benjamin Becker.
Federer began his bid for a record eighth Wimbledon title with a 69-minute demolition of Victor Hanescu.
Federer, 31, swept to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 win on Centre Court to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his first triumph at the All England Club.
Old-stager Lleyton Hewitt, the 2002 champion, also reached the second round with a 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 win over Swiss 11th seed Stanislas Wawrinka.