It was an emotional farewell from tennis for Nadal this week after Spain was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup in Malaga

Nadal's late career has been a story of injuries. The long ending is a reminder of the miracle that he lasted until now

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal played the final match of his professional career Tuesday, losing 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup. Nadal, 38, announced last month that he would retire after the tournament.

Tennis legend Roger Federer wrote a heartfelt letter to Rafael Nadal on Tuesday before the Spanish star joins him in retirement. Nadal is participating in the Davis Cup in Malaga, Spain this week before saying goodbye to the sport he has played professionally since 2001.

Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest men's tennis players in history, closed out his legendary career playing for Spain in the Davis Cup.

"The truth is that nobody ever wants to arrive at this moment," said Nadal, who had announced his plans for retirement in October.

Jannik Sinner has joined the list of high-profile stars to send a heartfelt message to Rafael Nadal after the tennis icon’s retirement. Nadal played the last match of his staggering 23-year career in Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final loss to the Netherlands in Malaga this week.

The who's who of the tennis world was expected to attend Rafael Nadal's Davis Cup farewell in Malaga, but they were nowhere to be seen when the tennis great played his final match.

In a moment that marked the end of an era, Rafael Nadal officially played his last tennis match on Tuesday at the Davis Cup, bidding an emotional farewell to the sport he dominated for over two decades.

"The farewell to someone as important as Rafa was watered down; very important people in his career were missing."