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.

Spanish Davis Cup team captain David Ferrer defended his decision to pick Rafael Nadal for singles by claiming that he noticed daily improvement in the Spaniard's level and that he was confident that he would go out and compete as hard as ever.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion lost what could be his final tennis match in the first rubber of Spain's tie against the Netherlands.

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.

Spain fell behind after Nadal lost the day’s opening match and could not recover to defeat the Netherlands in Tuesday’s quarterfinal matches.

Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest men's tennis players in history, closed out his legendary career playing for Spain in the Davis Cup.

Hours after Nadal’s 6-4, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands was over, the evening did turn out to represent the 22-time Grand

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

According to El Espanol, this was because the retirement ceremony was expected to take place on Friday - on the assumption Spain would win their quarter-final. This has attracted

Davis Cup Finals tournament director Feliciano Lopez and International Tennis Federation president David Haggerty have defended Rafael Nadal’s retirement ceremony. Former world No 1 and 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal played the final match of his career at the Finals in Malaga this week.