World number eight Rafael Nadal has conceded that 'this was not his year' after failing to win a Grand Slam for the first time in 10 years.
Since his first Slam win at the 2005 French Open, Nadal has won 14 major titles and at least one every year, a run that ended last night.
He crashed out of the US Open at the third-round stage to Italy's Fabio Fognini, who fought back from two sets down to spectacularly knock out the two-time champion on Arthur Ashe Court.
"The only thing that means is I played worse than the last 10 years," Nadal told reporters.
"That's the real thing. By the way, for me it was amazing to win a Grand Slam 10 years in a row. I think nobody did. You can imagine how difficult it is to make that happen.
"I accept this was not my year and keep fighting till the end of the season to finish in a positive way for me."
Last night's defeat was the first time ever that Nadal has surrendered a two-set lead in a Slam.
Pascal Lemesre
