<p>In terms of career prize money, Rafael Nadal and Steve Darcis are $54 million apart but it was the Belgian who had the bigger smile on Monday after beating the former champion at Wimbledon. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The archetypal journeyman player, who has battled through a series of injuries in a long and not especially fruitful career, Darcis could not have looked happier as he reflected on the shock upset he had produced on Wimbledon’s opening day. <br /><br />“I think a lot of people will talk about this match in a few years, and also me I think,” the 29-year-old Darcis beamed after his 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 triumph. “It was a great, great moment.” <br /><br />Darcis, who has earned $1.75 million and two titles in a professional career dating back to 2003, had, at least, already tasted success on Wimbledon’s Centre Court. <br /><br />Last year, in the opening match of the London Olympics, he defeated sixth seed Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-4 at the All England Club, his only previous victory over a top-10 player. “I think it was my best memory, I have to say. First top 10, you don’t forget. Here is the second one, so I will try to continue a little bit here.” <br /><br />The Anderlecht fan, nicknamed ‘The Shark’, was gracious about Nadal, pointing out the twice former champion’s apparent physical worries even though the Spaniard refused to make excuses of his own. <br /><br />“Maybe he was not in the best shape ever, maybe he didn't play his best match, but I have to be proud of me, I think,” Darcis said. “I played a great match and I fought from the beginning till the end, and I played unbelievable tennis.” <br /><br />His nickname, he explained, came from a tattoo on his right shoulder which, in turn, was inspired by his love of fishing and his astrological sign -- Pisces. <br /><br />Would he like to swim in a shark cage, one reporter asked. Darcis beamed. “Maybe someday.” First up though, with the bait of adding at least $58,000 to his earnings, is the second round at Wimbledon where unseeded Pole Lukasz Kubot, ranked just five places above Darcis, awaits him</p>
<p>In terms of career prize money, Rafael Nadal and Steve Darcis are $54 million apart but it was the Belgian who had the bigger smile on Monday after beating the former champion at Wimbledon. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The archetypal journeyman player, who has battled through a series of injuries in a long and not especially fruitful career, Darcis could not have looked happier as he reflected on the shock upset he had produced on Wimbledon’s opening day. <br /><br />“I think a lot of people will talk about this match in a few years, and also me I think,” the 29-year-old Darcis beamed after his 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 triumph. “It was a great, great moment.” <br /><br />Darcis, who has earned $1.75 million and two titles in a professional career dating back to 2003, had, at least, already tasted success on Wimbledon’s Centre Court. <br /><br />Last year, in the opening match of the London Olympics, he defeated sixth seed Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-4 at the All England Club, his only previous victory over a top-10 player. “I think it was my best memory, I have to say. First top 10, you don’t forget. Here is the second one, so I will try to continue a little bit here.” <br /><br />The Anderlecht fan, nicknamed ‘The Shark’, was gracious about Nadal, pointing out the twice former champion’s apparent physical worries even though the Spaniard refused to make excuses of his own. <br /><br />“Maybe he was not in the best shape ever, maybe he didn't play his best match, but I have to be proud of me, I think,” Darcis said. “I played a great match and I fought from the beginning till the end, and I played unbelievable tennis.” <br /><br />His nickname, he explained, came from a tattoo on his right shoulder which, in turn, was inspired by his love of fishing and his astrological sign -- Pisces. <br /><br />Would he like to swim in a shark cage, one reporter asked. Darcis beamed. “Maybe someday.” First up though, with the bait of adding at least $58,000 to his earnings, is the second round at Wimbledon where unseeded Pole Lukasz Kubot, ranked just five places above Darcis, awaits him</p>