The first Jamaican man to play at Wimbledon in four decades feels neglected in his country, and said Monday he deserved a glimmer of the domestic fame enjoyed by compatriot Usain Bolt.
Dustin Brown lost his Grand Slam debut to French Open semifinalist Jurgen Melzer of Austria. Despite the 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 scoreline, it was a triumph for the 25-year-old Brown, who broke into the top 100 last month after travelling for years to European tournaments in a camper van so he could save on expenses.
The last Jamaican man to play at Wimbledon was Richard Russell in 1970. He failed to qualify in 1972. Russell was also the last Jamaican man to appear in a Grand Slam tournament, losing in the second round in the French Open in 1974.