World number three Simona Halep has suggested that nerves were to blame after she was knocked out of the first round at Wimbledon.

Halep, who reached the semi-finals a year ago, was eliminated at the hands of Jana Cepelova in three sets despite winning the opening offering of the contest.

"My confidence wasn't too high. So I knew that during the matches it's difficult because you feel the pressure," said Halep after the game, according to Tennis.com.

"I knew it would be difficult, but not like today, to be honest.

"I wasn't there. I couldn't handle it very well. She came back in a good way with her game. She was pushing me a lot. She was aggressive. But I can say that I let her come in and play aggressive."

Halep exited at the second round in the French Open at Roland Garros earlier this year.