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.

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.

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.

Rafael Nadal's impending retirement will loom over the Davis Cup Final 8 when play begins Tuesday in Malaga, Spain.

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.

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

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.

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.