Rafael Nadal’s illustrious career came to an end after his Spain team were beaten by the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.
Spanish great Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, is retiring after the men’s team event in Malaga.
In front of a partisan home crowd, 38-year-old Nadal lost 6-4 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp, who stayed composed in testing conditions to put his team ahead in the best-of-three tie.
Carlos Alcaraz, who has taken over the mantle as Spain’s leading star, beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 in the second singles match to keep Nadal’s hopes of a potential farewell appearance alive.
But Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers were beaten 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) by Dutch pair Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof in a deciding doubles match.
