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Nadal: Djokovic Upset "Probably An Accident"


Rafael Nadal knows the painful sting of an early-round exit.

A year ago, Fernando Verdasco sent Nadal packing from his Australian Open opener.

Watch: Istomin Stuns Djokovic

Match point was all Nadal saw of Denis Istomin's gripping five-set upset of defending champion Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open second round.

While the King of Clay isn't shocked by the upset, he doesn't believe it diminishes Djokovic.

Nadal called the defeat "probably an accident, that's all" caused by the perfect storm of an inspired wild card with nothing to lose against a stressed defending champion, who couldn't consistently deliver his best level.    

"What Novak did here is just amazing. Six victories here, six titles," Nadal told the media in the video above. "For a lot of years he have been in the semifinals, finals, and winning here. So is normal then. Is not possible to be every time in that situation, no?

"But he played great one week and a half ago or two weeks ago in Doha, winning the title. So then today was probably an accident, that's all. He's playing well."

The 117th-ranked Istomin's upset is a reminder that every major match presents possible danger, said Nadal.

"Everybody has the chance to lose when you go on court, no?" Nadal said after beating Marcos Baghdatis to reach the third round. "We are athletes. We know when we are going on court we can lose and we can win. Everybody wants to win. Everybody has a good level.

"Today Denis played well. That probably was a combination that Denis played a great match and Novak didn't play his best. When this combination happens, then you are in trouble, no? Everything can happen. And happened."

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve

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