Cape Town - Kevin Anderson says it was an "honour" to play his first Grand Slam final against world No 1 Rafael Nadal.

Anderson lost in straight sets to the Spanish star on Sunday, which saw Nadal win his third US Open and 16th Grand Slam title overall.

READ: Nadal, not nerves, my undoing - Anderson

GALLERY: Anderson's history-making US Open journey

Anderson, 31, is the first South African to make the US Open final in tennis' Open era which started in 1968. In 1965. SA-born Cliff Drysdale made the final of the US National Championships (as the US Open was previously termed).

The Johannesburg-born 6-foot-8 Anderson was looking to become the first South African to win a Grand Slam singles title since Johan Kriek won the 1981 Australian Open.

Anderson took to Twitter to thank the 16-time Grand Slam winner for sharing the stage with him:

It's been an incredible 2 weeks. This is a memory I will never forget & I look forward to making more! Thanks @usopen... see you next year ?? pic.twitter.com/7PmXVEoIE5

— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) September 11, 2017

To step on Arthur Ashe with @RafaelNadal for my first Slam final was an honour. I look forward to sharing the court with you again soon ?? pic.twitter.com/lojLczEeil

— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) September 11, 2017