Rafael Nadal's legendary tennis career comes to an end in loss at Davis Cup

Nadal won 92 singles titles in his career, 22 majors and two Olympic gold medals.

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.

His career ends as one of the most decorated in tennis. Competing professionally since his late teens, Nadal won 92 singles titles (fifth-most all time), 22 majors (second-most all time) and two Olympic gold medals. 

Most famous for his dominance on clay, Nadal won a record 14 French Open championships. He won his first in 2005, beginning a dominant run in which he won nine of 10 French Open finals. After having dealt with injuries, he won four straight from 2017 to 2020 before he won his last French Open and major tournament in 2022.

Nadal, a left-handed player, for much of his career was a natural foil to Roger Federer, who had won seven major titles before Nadal won his first French Open. (Federer is third behind Nadal with 20 Grand Slam titles.) The two titans played each other 40 times from 2004 to 2019, including 24 times in tournament finals. Nadal led the rivalry with a 24-16 record — including a perfect 6-0 at Roland-Garros. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/tennis/rafael-nadal-retirement-davis-cup-rcna180912

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