The curtains came down on the illustrious career of the legendary Tennis star Rafael Nadal earlier on Tuesday after his Spain team lost to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup Quarter-final in Malaga.

Spanish great Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, previously said the men’s Davis Cup team event would be the last of his career.

In front of a packed, partisan crowd, 38-year-old Nadal lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp to give the Netherlands the lead in the best-of-three tie.

Carlos Alcaraz, who has taken over the mantle as Spain’s leading star, beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 , 6-3 in the second singles match to keep Nadal’s hopes of a potential farewell appearance alive.

However, Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers were beaten 7-6, 7-6 by Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof in the deciding doubles.

“The titles, the numbers are there. But the way I’d like to be remembered most is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca,” a tearful Nadal said afterwards.

“I was just a kid who followed his dreams and worked as hard as possible to get where I am today,” added the Legend who will be remembered as the greatest clay court player in this generation.