Rafael Nadal has lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in what could be the last match of the 22-time Grand Slam champion's career.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion's physical limitations were laid bare in what could be his last appearance as a professional player.

The Davis Cup Finals in Malaga marked the conclusion of an extraordinary career as Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, played his final professional tennis match.

Rafael Nadal’s remarkable 23-year career came to an end after Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Rafael Nadal wanted to play his last match before retiring at home in Spain and as part of Spain's Davis Cup team

That's a difficult sentence for tennis fans to digest, but it's the reality as Nadal announced previously that he plans to retire after the 2024 Davis Cup, which begins on Tuesday. If Team Spain falls to the Netherlands on Tuesday, Nadal's career will be over. Otherwise, he could retire as late as Sunday if Spain makes it to the finals.

Here's the latest on how to follow veteran star Rafael Nadal at the Davis Cup Finals 2024. Keep up to date with the latest tennis scores and results.

Neither Rafael Nadal nor Spanish captain David Ferrer is ready to say whether the 22-time Grand Slam champion will play singles or doubles at the Davis Cup Final 8.

Rafael Nadal's tennis career includes 22 Grand Slam trophies, a record 14 French Open titles and plenty of other significant numbers.

Rafael Nadal’s relatively low-key retirement ceremony at the Davis Cup has been defended by the head of the International Tennis Federation as being dictated by the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s wishes.

Rafael Nadal has lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup in what may have been the last match of his career