Rafael Nadal's career ends as Spain lose 2-1 to the Netherlands in Davis Cup
Nadal lost 6-4 6-4 to Van de Zandschulp in what was last match of his career
Carlos Alcaraz beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 to level tie
But Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) to Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp in deciding doubles
22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal announced impending retirement earlier in year
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat a ride it's been - 23 years, 22 Grand Slams.
Rafael Nadal won it all and he ends his career as one of the greatest to ever grace the sport of tennis.
Thanks for joining us for our live text coverage, and more importantly gracias Rafa! Thanks for the memories!
Image source, Getty ImagesEarlier today, before Rafael Nadal took to the court, Roger Federer paid an emotional tribute to his long-term rival.
Federer, who retired in 2022 with 20 Grand Slams, won 16 matches and lost 24 - including an epic final at Wimbledon in 2008 - in the 40 times he faced Nadal.
"As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I've got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional," wrote 43-year-old Federer on Instagram.
"Let's start with the obvious: you beat me - a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no-one else could.
"On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground."
Federer added that Nadal made him "reimagine" his game, to the extent that the Swiss changed the size of his racquet head.
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you missed any of tonight's drama, you can catch up with all the action and tributes to Rafael Nadal by reading Jonathan Jurejko's report from Malaga.
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In professional men's sport, Nadal at the French Open is the greatest domination of a sporting arena by an individual sportsman in history and may remain that way for many decades. He was not just the king of clay, he was its god.
Jake, Hitchin
Rafael Nadal waves his final goodbye and gives all of his team-mates, including Carlos Alcaraz, and coaches a great big hug.
There he goes, down the tunnel. Not a dry eye in the house.
Over in Paris, the city where Rafael Nadal won a record 14 French Open men's singles titles, images of the Spaniard have been projected into the night sky at the Trocadero, with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
A fitting tribute to a sporting great.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
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It’s hard to describe in words what Rafa means to me as a sportsperson…….he is the just the ultimate hero who’s inspired me and millions round the world, to always fight, never give up but play the game fair. We are so lucky to have been able to see him play for as long as we did. I don’t think we’ll ever see his like again who made us feel like we did, like we were right there with him for every point. Thank you Rafa.
Gary
Image source, Getty ImagesHere is what Rafael Nadal had to say, on how how would like to be remembered:
"The titles, the numbers are there. People probably know that. But the way I would like to be remembered is like a good person from a small village in Mallorca, I had the luck that I had, my uncle was a tennis coach when I was a very small kid and I had a great family who supported me.
"I was just a kid who followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible to be where I am today.
"At the end of the day, being honest, a lot of people work hard and try their best every day but I am one of the ones lucky to have the life I have, to have the unforgettable experiences.
"I want to be remembered as a good person, a kid that followed their dreams and achieved more than I ever dreamed [possible]."
Former world number one Boris Becker said on X: "It's very sad to say …Rafael Nadal will retire from tennis ! An absolute icon from our sport will no longer play the game we love on a professional level! We love and honour Rafa as long as he lives!"
Becker added: "I am crying as we speak… Rafael Nadal …What an absolute icon of sport period ! There will never be another one like Rafa! Role model for so many kids all around the world ! Gracias Rafa."
Rafael Nadal is presented with a framed photo before a video montage plays on the big screen in the Malaga arena.
There's tributes from Spain footballers Rodri, Raul, Iker Casillas and Andreas Iniesta.
There's also lovely words from tennis greats Serena Williams, Juan Martin Del Potro Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and of course, Roger Federer.
Djokovic gets the final say - "Thank you very much and good luck my friend".
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Such a shame Rafa couldn't last a bit longer. Incredible to think we have been in an age with 4 of the best tennis players ever. That final in 2008 at Wimbledon will never be forgotten. All the best Rafa. Good luck for the future.
Andrew, Edinburgh
Here comes the emotion. The crowd give the 22-time Grand Slam champion a lengthy round of applause at the end of his interview and the tears start rolling as he tales it all in.
Rafael Nadal is still talking, and the crowd are still on their feet - cheering on every word.
Some fans are holding up 'gracias Rafa' signs.
His mum and sister are in tears.
Image source, Getty ImagesJohn McEnroe describes it as "the greatest match ever played", and the 2008 Wimbledon final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer remains the high point of a rivalry that dominated tennis.
The final - played out over nearly seven hours because of rain delays - ended with a 22-year-old Nadal finally dethroning Federer, holding off a thrilling fightback from the five-time champion to win 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (8-10) 9-7 as darkness descended on an enraptured Centre Court.
It was the last of three successive Wimbledon finals between two players who have won a combined 42 Grand Slam titles.
Speaking of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer's great rivalry...
Any opportunity to watch the best bits from their epic Wimbledon showdown in 2008 is absolutely worth taking.
Will it ever be bettered? I'm not sure it will.
Rafael Nadal clinches his first Wimbledon championship in 2008
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There are so many great Nadal memories but I think the legendary 2008 Wimbledon final between the two greatest and best loved players will probably never be topped. There was just something special every time they shared the court.
Leah
Image source, Getty Images"Why am I getting so choked up with Rafael Nadal's retirement. I'm not good at goodbyes," 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams posted on X after Nadal's singles defeat.
On Instagram, she added a video of her wearing one of Nadal's branded headbands and a t-short with the Spaniard pictured on the front.
"Congratulations on a career that most wont dare to dream of," she said.
"I feel so fortunate to have been able to play when you were playing and being Great. You inspired me to be better, to play harder, for fight, to never give up, and to win more. No excuses just play the sport.
"Your legacy will never die. Wow to see your career from the beginning to today was an honour Champ! Long live Rafa!"
Here's what the victorious Dutch team had to say after reaching the Davis Cup semi-finals.
First Wesley Koolhof, who is playing the final tournament of his career: "I didn't really think about it. Obviously I knew [it could be my final match] but I didn't think much about it being my last match.
"I reached a high level today which I'm really pleased about. "Yeah I'm still pretty sure [I will retire].
"This is one of [my] best matches of the year. I'm looking forward to the next one but I'm still retiring."
Team-mate Botic van de Zandschulp: "Wesley helped me a lot today, he played amazing.
"It is a shame he is going to retire after this event because we could use him next year. It has been an incredible game in the end."
And Netherlands team captain Paul Haarhuis: "We knew it was going to be very special in Rafael Nadal's last event. We knew if we played well we would have a chance.
"We made the most of it. It's amazing to get to the semi-finals. Fantastic to do it with this bunch of guys."
We'll bring you all of Rafael Nadal's quotes very shortly, but let's hear from the winning Dutch duo first...
"RAFA, RAFA, RAFA!" chant the crowd in Malaga.