MALAGA, Spain — Rafael Nadal’s storied career came to an end as he, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, suffered his first Davis Cup singles defeat in two decades, losing to Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp in his final match on Tuesday.

In a night filled with emotion, the 38-year-old Nadal played the opening match of the quarter-finals but fell short, losing 6-4, 6-4, despite the enthusiastic cheers of his devoted supporters.

Spain’s rising star, Carlos Alcaraz, equalized the match by defeating Tallon Griekspoor with a score of 7-6 (0) 6-3. If Alcaraz and his partner Marcel Granollers had triumphed over Wesley Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp, Spain would have kept alive the dream of a fairy-tale finish to Nadal’s career by advancing to the semi-finals on Friday.

However, that outcome did not happen; Koolhof, also retiring after this tournament, delivered an outstanding performance, leading the Dutch team to victory with a score of 7-6 (4) 7-6 (3), quieting the passionate Spanish crowd.

Nadal cheered tirelessly for the Spanish team from the sidelines, barely taking a seat, yet his expression turned dejected as he grasped the reality that this was indeed his last chance.

The Mallorcan has been part of four winning Davis Cup teams for Spain and had achieved victory in 29 out of his previous 30 singles matches in the competition, with his only prior loss dating back to his first tie in 2004.

Known for his mastery on clay, Nadal announced his retirement last month, intending to conclude his career after the Davis Cup Final Eight in Malaga. While he displayed moments of his historic brilliance, he was not the Nadal who had dominated men’s tennis for much of the past two decades, as both his mind and body seemed to struggle.

Due to injuries, including a hip surgery, Nadal had only played 24 matches since the beginning of 2023, and the lack of match practice was evident as he found it tough to fend off the strong Dutch opponent, who admitted he would have been cheering for Nadal had they not been facing each other.

Nadal shed tears during the national anthems and received a standing ovation after his defeat.

Alcaraz managed to equalize the tie against Griekspoor, stating he played “for Rafa,” but he couldn’t secure a win for Spain in the following doubles match as the Dutch team advanced.

Reflecting on his loss in singles, Nadal remained philosophical.

“In some ways, maybe it’s good that this was my last match because I lost my first match in Davis Cup and I lost my last one. It feels like a full circle,” he commented.

Fans in Malaga, many clad in scarves that read “Gracias Rafa,” stood and honored him at midnight during a special tribute for Spain’s greatest athlete.

Earlier that day, Roger Federer, Nadal’s longtime rival and close friend, shared a letter to honor the Spaniard.

“Let’s start with the obvious: you’ve beaten me—many times. More than I have managed to beat you,” stated the Swiss 20-time Grand Slam champion. “You challenged me in ways that no one else could.”