Rafael Nadal in professional tennis, 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp, converted his 10th match point Friday to finally close out a 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3 victory over Daniel Altmaier and help the Netherlands reach its first Davis Cup final by sweeping Germany.

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

Rafael Nadal ended his stratospheric tennis career on Tuesday night after Spain lost their Davis Cup quarter-final tie against the Netherlands in Malaga, southern Spain. Nadal, 38, went down in straight sets to Botic van de Zandschulp in the opening match at the José María Martín Carpena Arena before Carlos Alcaraz levelled proceedings with a 7-6,

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.

Rafael Nadal will play for Spain against the Netherlands on Tuesday at the Davis Cup, his last event before retirement

Nadal won 22 Grand Slam titles in his career and retires as one of the greatest men's tennis players of all time.

Rafael Nadal will play for Spain in their opening Davis Cup finals singles rubber against the Netherlands on Tuesday.

Rafael Nadal heads into retirement after Spain is eliminated by the Netherlands in the Davis Cup.

It was an emotional farewell from tennis for Nadal this week after Spain was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup in Malaga

Spain’s Davis Cup captain David Ferrer has explained his decision to select Rafael Nadal to play singles in his legendary countryman’s farewell event. The former world No 3 declared he was “confident that Rafa is a competitive beast” and added he “had to give him that opportunity.