Rafael Nadal, Juan Monaco: Winners for best bromance and in doubles match

Rafael Nadal and Juan Monaco are best friends. Last night, they were not only the winners for best bromance on the ATP but also on clay court.

Their mutual understanding for each other gave them the first doubles match win at the VTR Open. They won easily in just over an hour defeating the Czech pair of Frantisek Cermak and Lukas Dlouhy 6-3 6-2.

This is Nadal's first win and appearance in a tournament since June 28 when he was upset in the second round of Wimbledon by qualifier Lukas Rosol.

Nadal will kick off his singles campaign on Thursday against Argentine Federico Delbonis.

(Images via Juan Monaco's Facebook page, Sina Sports)

Radek Stepanek to undergo surgery due to neck injury

Veteran Czech player Radek Stepanek has withdrawn from next week's Davis Cup tie against Switzerland due to an escalating neck injury since the tournament in Sydney.

According to ATP website, "a neck disc was pressing on a nerve and was creating a big problem in Stepanek's neck and right hand".

Team captain Jaroslav Navratil announced that Stepanek will be replaced by world ranked 189 Ivo Minar, who will join Tomas Berdych and Lukas Rosol  for the trip to Geneva. The defending champions will meet the Swiss team who will be without Roger Federer.

(Via Sport.cz, NDTV Sports, ATPWorldTour)

Rafael Nadal stunned by 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon

Unknown Czech player Lukas Rosol overpowered 11-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the second round at Wimbledon last night. 

''That's (what) happens when you play against a player who is able to hit the ball very hard, hit the ball without thinking and feeling the pressure,'' Nadal said. ''At the end, when the opponent wants to play like he wanted to play in the fifth (set), you are in his hands, no? Everything was going right for him.''

This is the first time since 2005 that Nadal lost in the second round at any major tournament.

He reached the final at the previous five Grand Slams, and also reached the final the last five times he entered Wimbledon, winning the grass-court tournament in 2008 and 2010.

However after a successful, long clay season Nadal deserves to take a break, relax and prepare to defend his gold Olympic medal that will start in less than a month time.

(Image via Reuters)