Rafael Nadal retires from tennis after Spain's Davis Cup defeat

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal retired from tennis as Spain lost to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals. The 38-year-old, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, was emotional during the anthem. Over 10,000 fans chanted "Rafa, Rafa" in tribute after his final singles match, marking the end of an iconic career.

Superstar Rafael Nadal's glittering career in professional tennis came to an end on Tuesday as Netherlands eliminated Spain in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.

The 38-year-old Spaniard, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, was defeated in the first singles rubber and after Carlos Alcaraz won the second match to send the tie to a doubles decider, the Dutch triumphed to snatch a 2-1 win.

Nadal was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Botic van de Zandschulp in the opening singles clash, before Alcaraz defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7/0), 6-3.

In the deciding doubles rubber, Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof secured a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) victory to set up a semi-final clash with Canada or Germany.

After years ravaged by injuries and not having played an official singles match since July, doubts hung over Nadal's involvement in the tie.

They were resolved when captain David Ferrer confirmed he would play in the first singles rubber of the opening finals clash.

Read more on FRANCE 24 English

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