Retiring Rafael Nadal defeated in straight sets in last professional match at Davis Cup 

Rafael Nadal was visibly touched by the deafening noise of the home crowd when he stepped into the bullring for his last tournament.

The retiring superstar had not played competitive tennis for more than three months. Could he help the Spanish team clinch the Davis Cup for a sixth time?

Things did not go according to plan on this emotional Tuesday (19 November). The 38-year-old lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp in the opening encounter of their quarter-final tie against the Netherlands.

The packed crowd gave the legend a standing ovation as he walked off the court from what would be his last match ever.

"It's in some ways good if that was my last match, that probably was my last match if nothing happens," Nadal said in his post-match press conference. "I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So we close the circle."

Although world number three Carlos Alcaraz levelled the tie with a convincing 7-6 (0), 6-3 win against Tallon Griekspoor, Spain’s Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers were defeated 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) in the doubles decider to send the Netherlands through.

The curtain had fallen on the career of Rafa Nadal.

• Rafael Nadal’s career in numbers
• Rafael Nadal’s love affair with the Davis Cup

Rafael Nadal’s emotional farewell to tennis

The former world number one has won 22 Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals in his incredible career, but this match was different.

Nadal was the last member of the Iberian squad to emerge into the red-and-yellow cauldron in Málaga.

The vibrant colours, the groundshaking roars, the proud cheer for every Grand Slam-winning year read out over the stadium speakers as the Spanish faithful rallied behind their hero.

Tears filled his eyes during the national anthem. An outpouring of emotion before a ball has even been struck, as well as the Valencian Community flag brought out by the players in tribute to the victims of the region’s floods.

Amid the bittersweet occasion, there was a match to play. Spain were chasing their first Davis Cup title in five years, needing to overcome a tricky quarter-final tie against the Netherlands.

For the few points that Nadal celebrated, the 11,300 strong crowd was there to celebrate every point for him and spur him on. When he was losing energy, the man from Mallorca was greeted by chants of “Yes you can!” and every bit of encouragement.

Nadal beaten in straight sets by Van de Zandschulp

Nadal tried everything but Van de Zandschulp was up to the task.

"I have to say it is tough to close out a match against him, knowing it could be his last," the Dutchman admitted.

“I knew it could be my last match as a professional and the emotions were difficult to manage,” Nadal said. “I wasn’t able to read the game quickly enough to feel in control.

“When you’ve spent so much time out of competition, everything is decided by small details and I’m not in the same form as players who are on the circuit. Today won’t be the day for me to criticize myself.”

A string of double faults from Van de Zandschulp almost allowed an early break, but he kept his cool among the partisan crowd and proved formidable with 10 opening set winners.

Van de Zandschulp wasted no time in breaking Nadal’s serve in the second set, though the double faults were creeping back in as the veteran garnered every ounce of energy that remained and serving strongly, missing just two second serves.

Nadal was fading and found himself struggling to keep up with Van de Zandschulp, who was holding his nerve in an intimidating situation.

It was not enough for Nadal in the end.

The last dance

In the decisive doubles match, Nadal turned into chief cheerleader on the bench, even passing advice to Alcaraz and Granollers during breaks.

They took on Dutch duo Wesley Koolhof - who is also retiring at the end of the Davis Cup - and Van de Zandschulp.

When he was not rousing up his teammates, Nadal was anxiously watching on, knowing that there was little he could do.

As the Netherlands triumphed, Nadal stood in silence, arms crossed, watching the Dutch celebrations surrounded by his teammates. This was it, he knew.

Nadal was taken aback as the stadium burst into a standing ovation and showed their adoration for one of, if not Spain’s greatest athlete.

“The way I would like to be remembered is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca”, Nadal told the stadium upon his retirement. “Just a kid that followed his dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today.”

He watched on the big screen as clips of his decorated career played, as well as video messages from global superstars such as David Beckham, Serena Williams and Roger Federer.

Nadal hugged each of his teammates, waved to the crowd one last time and headed down the tunnel in solitude.

The last dance of Rafael Nadal was over.