Wimbledon 2012: Beating Nadal is a career highlight, says Rosol

Lukas Rosol described beating Rafael Nadal as the best moment of his career after the world No100 sealed a shock 6-7 (11-9) 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 victory over the two-time champion in the second round.

Czech Rosol lost the first set on a tight tiebreak before the 26-year-old responded with two sets of impressive tennis to take the lead. The French Open champion managed to level the match, with the momentum shifting in the Spaniard’s favour.

But with Nadal in the ascendancy there was a 43-minute interval to close the Centre Court roof, much to the frustration of the world No2. Rosol emerged buoyed by the break and produced a series of breath-taking groundstrokes and emphatic aces to win the deciding set.

“Where does this match rank in my career? It’s the best,” said Rosol. “It’s never, never happened to me.

“Also, on Wimbledon Centre Court, I didn’t expect it. I was going on the court before just to see how it looks.

“I’m sorry for Rafa, but today I was somewhere else and I’m really happy for this. I still cannot find the words. I still can’t believe it. It’s like a dream for me.”

Meanwhile, Nadal heaped praise on Rosol for an “unbelievable” performance and said his premature exit will give him time to recover after a demanding few months.

“Today he played great. He played special,” said Nadal.

“For sure it [closing the roof] wasn’t good for me. But that’s what happened and I accepted it. He came back and played unbelievable in the fifth.

“I played a great fourth set. Sure the stop didn’t help me. That’s the sport. That’s it. Only thing that I can do is go back home, and get the rest I need and I deserve. So that’s what I can do, nothing else.”

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