Dustin Brown recalls tactics he used to pull off a sensational upset against Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon
Dustin Brown is among the few players who never lost to Rafael Nadal, having defeated the Spaniard twice on Tour.
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Dustin Brown and Rafael Nadal (via Tennis.com)
Dustin Brown made a name for himself on the court with his flashy skills, which captivated spectators, fans, and even his opponents. Even though he never joined the elite Top 20 in the ATP, fans will always remember him for his moments on the court. One of them was against Rafael Nadal, which he recently recalled.
Brown had an arduous journey to the big leagues of the ATP. He reached a career-high of World No.64 in singles and didn’t win any title. However, it was in the doubles he achieved heights, winning a pair of double titles and retiring from the category in 2024, three years after retiring from singles.
Nonetheless, the German-Jamaican star made a name for himself on the hallowed Centre Court of the All England Club in Wimbledon. He faced the two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal in the second round of 2015. Brown produced one of his best performances of the season, pushing hard and grabbing crucial break points.
The then World No.102 claimed the win 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round of the Grand Slam event. Recalling the win in an interview with Second Serve, the 40-year-old star said that he accepted that he would have to play his best before facing Nadal.
I’m happy that I pulled it off and kept everything together. What’s the point in rallying with him from the baseline? What my coach said at the time is, ‘You’re up two points, you’re hitting two first serves. Sny of the guys that were in the top that I beat, I got them out of their comfort zone and forced them to play my tennis. And I also had to accept that there would be days that the balls would be flying all over the place. But then some days, more towards the end, the balls were going in more. I think accepting that and my type of game helped me a lot.
Dustin Brown said via Tennis
Brown didn’t reach the career heights he set for himself but was among the few players on Tour who Nadal never defeated. He faced the 22-time Grand Slam champion twice and won both matches.
Dustin Brown shares how he worked hard to play tennis as a kid
Dustin Brown earned a lot of respect and administration for being among the players who never lost to Rafael Nadal. But, his journey to become a tennis player was not an easy task. He spent time in Germany and Jamaica as a kid and excelled in different sports, but his passion for tennis superseded everything else.
My mom actually had the idea of the caravan, the camper. Losing first round in the future I think back then was $117.50 US dollars, and that was basically enough money to put gas into the camper and go to the next tournament. And I was stringing racquets for other players. I think the local stringer was taking 10 euros, and I took five. Different times, but it’s what got me here.
Dustin Brown said
Brown determination made him rise to face after first beating retired Nadal in the second round of the Halle Open in 2014. He was one of the most skillful players that fans loved to watch.
Dustin Brown’s career achievements
Dustin Brown didn’t reach the final of any ATP tournament but did reach the semi-finals and quarter-finals. His two semi-finals came in 2016 at the Montpellier and Gstaad Open. While he reached the last eight at the 2019 Stuttgart Open, where he saved a match point but ultimately failed to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in a thrilling 6(3)-7, 7-6(2), 6(2)-7 encounter.
However, it was at the ATP Challenger circuit that Brown enjoyed his singles success. In fact, at 35-year-old he captured the eighth Challenger title of his career in April 3019 on the clay court of Sophia Antipolis, France. Also, he won 19 career doubles titles at the Challenger level before retiring in 2024.
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