Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to David Nalbandian of Argentina during their match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to David Nalbandian of Argentina during their match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, September 4, 2011. Reuters

In one of the most bizarre post-match press conferences in quite some time, tennis star Rafael Nadal slumped in his chair and winced in pain for several seconds due to cramping on Saturday at the U.S. Open.

Nadal stopped in the middle of a question, shut his eyes, and slid into his chair. Appearing to be in serious agony, Nadal then proceeded
to slide below the table to lay on the floor for roughly eight minutes, as he received treatment for his hamstring and right thigh cramps.

This apparently wasn't the first time such cramping has happened to Nadal, but it was the first time it happened in public view.

It's bad luck it happened here and not in the locker room, Nadal said.

The defending U.S. Open champion had just come off a relatively routine three-set victory in the third round over Argentine David
Nalbandian 7-6 (5), 6-1, 7-5.

Nadal's next match is on Tuesday against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg in the fourth round. Nadal has said the cramping episode should not
effect his play against Muller.

Take a look at Nadal's press conference collapse:

U.S.