World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has refused to blame his shock defeat in the Australian Open final in January to Stanislas Wawrinka as an excuse for his loss in Monaco last week.

The 27-year-old Spaniard, the top seed for this week’s Barcelona Open, lost in the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters to compatriot David Ferrer.

It was his earliest loss there since 2003 and came 12 months after his eight-year winning streak at the event was ended in the final by Novak Djokovic.

“I cannot continue using the Australia Open final as an excuse, that is past,” said Nadal, whose campaign in Barcelona begins in the second round against either Russian Nikolay Davydenko or Spaniard Albert Ramos on Wednesday.

“In Monte Carlo I should have achieved more. No one can win all the time, I’m no exception. I’ve lost before and I’ll lose again. But I’m not bitter or mad at myself.”

Nadal, winner of 13 Grand Slam titles, said there was no disgrace in losing to veteran Ferrer, who is ranked sixth in the world.

“He’s one of the best players in the world,” said Nadal. “I didn’t play a good match, he deserved to win.”