Two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal was stunned by his second-round exit at the hands of Lukas Rosol, and insists he needs rest in order to return to his best.

Nadal was unable to stop the heavy hitting of 100th-ranked Rosol, as the Spaniard went down 6-7(9) 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 on Thursday. It was Nadal's first loss before the third round of a grand slam since 2005, and he now plans to refresh physically and mentally after winning the French Open earlier this month.

"The only thing I can do is go back home and rest, and I need and deserve it," Nadal said. "I'm very, very disappointed [but] it's not a tragedy, it's only a tennis match.

"I never want to make an excuse after a match. I played a great fourth set. He came back [after the delay to close the roof] and played unbelievable in the fifth.

The match was suspended for an extended period at the conclusion of the fourth set while officials closed the roof as light deteriorated. Nadal, who won the title at the All England Club in 2008 and 2010, said the disruption "didn't help" but offered no excuses for his below-par performance.

Asked if Rosol was "just too good" on the day, Nadal said: "Oh, come on. That's too simple. In the fifth, yes. Not before, no? In the fifth set he played more than unbelievable. That's fine. Before, first three sets, I didn't play well.

"That 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. At the end, when the opponent wants to play like he wanted to play in the fifth, you are in his hands, no? Everything was going right for him in the fifth."

Rosol, playing in his first main-draw Wimbledon tournament, could not hide his delight following the famous victory.

"I don't know what to say," Rosol told BBC Sport. "I'm not just surprised but it's like a miracle. I never expected something like this. There are so many emotions.

"[Nadal] is a superstar and I'm very sorry for him. I played unbelievably today. I hope I can play another match like this.

"Before the match I was thinking to play three good sets so I don't lose 3-0. I know Nadal is only human. Nadal played a good match but I think I was a little bit better."

The 26-year-old Czech's win is arguably the biggest upset at Wimbledon since 2003, when defending champion Lleyton Hewitt was bundled out in the opening round by Ivo Karlovic.

Nadal's loss also opens up the draw for Brit Andy Murray, who would have played the 11-time grand slam champion in the semi-final had the pair progressed.