Rafael Nadal, two-time champion at the All England Club, is not giving up his Wimbledon title hopes, after facing yet another early exit from The Championships.
Nadal, who crashed out of the second round in 2012 and then lost the opener last year, was sent packing by Australian teen sensation Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round this time around. However, the 28-year-old insists he tried his best and played quite well in the tournament.
"I tried my best, as always I do when my physical performance gives me the chance to try my best," Nadal said. "The last two years I didn't have that chance to try my best because my knee was not right to compete."
"But this year I felt the knee was right to compete. I competed and I think I competed well. It was not enough, but that's sport. The opponent was better than me. Life continues."
The nine-time French Open champion said he is satisfied with his performance, despite crashing out of the tournament in the fourth round. Nadal said he was pitted in a dangerous draw and there were no easy matches for him in the competition.
"I am satisfied the way that I played this Wimbledon," Nadal pointed out. "The surface here is dangerous and my draw was not easy. I have not played against easy players. Today my opponent decided to serve so big and play so aggressively from the baseline."
The Australian prodigy racked up 34 aces and 70 winners against the former champion and never allowed the 14-time major winner to make a comeback. Nadal said he failed to understand Kyrgios' game but congratulated the youngster for putting up an impressive performance.
"I was not able to read (Kyrgios') serve during the entire match. I was not able to put enough returns inside. In the tie-break he was able to serve better than me. That's an advantage.
Nadal added that he will take some time off the court and relax with family before commencing the hard-court season.
"Congratulations to him. For me, I'm going to go to the beach in Mallorca," the 28-year-old continued. "I'll have some weeks off with the great weather there, enjoying some holidays with family and friends."
Nadal will start his preparations for the US Open - the tournament he has won twice and is also the reigning champion - with ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati.
"After a few weeks I am going to start practice again to prepare another important part of the season," he said.
