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“You need a defeat to give value to your victories,” – Rafael Nadal.

But it was a painful defeat when you’re a four-time defending champion who had won 31 straight matches, won four consecutive titles, and it was your first time to lose in a French Open.

Rafael Nadal, who has still never played a five-set match at the French Open, was beaten in the fourth round , 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2) by Robin Soderling of Sweden in the 2009 French Open at Roland Garros court in Paris, May 31^st, 2009.

It has been long time since Rafael Nadal’s fans have seen a defeat.

“Well, that’s the end of the road, and I have to accept it,” Nadal added. “I have to accept my defeat as I accepted my victories: with calm.”

The question now is who will win the French Open? Will it be Robin Sterling? Or will it be Roger Federer, the 13-time major champion whose resume is missing only a French Open title? Come to think of it, Federer lost to Nadal in each of the past three finals at Roland Garros, and in the 2005 semifinals, too. This will be a great opportunity for him with Nadal out of the game. But Federer will have to defeat Soderling first.

Here’s a quick look of the game match.