Rafa Nadal

Rafael Nadal was beaten in what might prove to be the final match of his career as the start of his Davis Cup retirement party fell flat. Spanish great Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, will end his playing days after the men’s team event in Malaga. It had been unclear whether the 38-year-old would be ready to feature but he was selected for the first match against the Netherlands, despite not playing competitively for over three months.

Rafael Nadal will bow out from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in November after announcing his retirement on Thursday. Nadal, who enjoyed legendary rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic throughout an illustrious career, has won 22 Grand Slam titles – including an astonishing 14 French Open crowns. The 38-year-old’s last major triumph came at the 2022 French Open.