Martina Navratilova's attempt to win a record equalling 20th Grand Slam title has ended in defeat in the US Open women's doubles.

But the nine-time Wimbledon singles champion insisted she would not be quitting the game for good, as she strives to match Bille Jean King's overall record.

Navratilova and Spanish playing partner Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario lost in straight sets to Germany's Anke Huber and Barbara Schett of Austria in the third round in Flushing Meadows.

"I'm planing on being back," Navratilova said after the 6-3 6-2 defeat. "No reason to get nostalgic yet. It's fun to tap into another generation and be on the court with them."

"I'm just annoyed I didn't play better. I played lousy," she said. "There were flashes of good stuff, but only flashes. I'm aggravated we couldn't give them a better run for their money.

"Why play? Because I still can and I enjoy it," Navratilova said. "I didn't miss it. Still, to be out there, perform, still have fun and have people enjoy it, it's fun."

And the naturalised American paid tribute to the New York crowd that has followed her challenge in the past week.

"It's the appreciation," she said. "They want me to do well. They're sweet. They're great. They are supportive. I've given some the will to want to do it themselves, the spark to get out and do it, whether it's tennis, their sports or jobs, whatever they love to do.

"I think too many of us are doing a job they really don't love. Do something that tugs at the heart strings, feeds the soul. Tennis feeds my soul, no doubt about it."