Rafael Nadal's illustrious career came to an end after his Spain team were beaten by the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.

Spanish great Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, is retiring after the men's team event in Malaga.

In front of a partisan home crowd, 38-year-old Nadal lost 6-4 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp, who stayed composed in testing conditions to put his team ahead in the best-of-three tie.

Carlos Alcaraz, who has taken over the mantle as Spain's leading star, beat Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7-0) 6-3 in the second singles match to keep Nadal's hopes of a potential farewell appearance alive.

But Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers were beaten 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-3) by Dutch pair Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof in a deciding doubles match.

The legacy which Nadal is leaving

Nadal will retire as the second-most successful men's singles player of all time, behind only long-time rival Novak Djokovic.

Known as the 'King of Clay', Nadal lifted the French Open singles title a record 14 times, winning 112 of his 116 major matches at Roland Garros.

No player has won as many Grand Slam singles titles at the same tournament.

Nadal is also a four-time US Open champion and won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon twice.

He won Olympic singles and doubles gold and helped Spain win four Davis Cup finals, most recently in 2019.