Rafael Nadal lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup on Tuesday in what turned out to be the final competitive match of the Spaniard’s career.

Nadal had announced he was retiring from professional tennis after the team event in Malaga, and he will not get to play again as Spain lost the quarterfinal tie 1-2 against Netherlands.

Third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz defeated No. 40 Tallon Griekspoor in the other singles but Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost against van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof in the deciding doubles.

A dream start in Malaga for @Boticvdz and @KNLTB ????????#DavisCup pic.twitter.com/yDI59NXZpn

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 19, 2024

Earlier, Nadal bit his lower lip and his eyes scanned the stands as he stood alongside his Davis Cup teammates for Spain’s national anthem Tuesday before what he — and everyone — knew might be the last match of his career, a loss to van de Zandschulp.

There were no tears streaming down Nadal’s cheeks, no outward sign of what this moment meant to the 22-time Grand Slam champion, even amid the roars of a sign- and flag-toting crowd, mostly here for one player and one player only. Nadal said beforehand that the emotions would need to wait, that this week was about attempting to claim one last title for his country, not about his impending retirement.

The 38-year-old Spaniard announced last month this event would be it for him as a professional tennis player after two years of injuries that limited him to competing only sparingly, but no one could be sure if that end would arrive in Tuesday’s quarterfinals or later in the Davis Cup Final 8, which wraps up Sunday.

Nadal’s defeat in the opening contest was only the start of the best-of-three Spain vs. Netherlands matchup, followed by No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz against No. 40 Tallon Griekspoor later Tuesday, and doubles, too, if the teams were tied 1-all after singles.

So it was up to Nadal’s countrymen to extend his career. If Spain managed to advance to the semifinals, Nadal’s playing days could continue. If the Netherlands were to win, he would be finished.