Rafael Nadal become beaten in what would possibly maybe maybe expose to be the final match of his occupation because the originate of his Davis Cup retirement birthday party fell flat.

Spanish tall Nadal, who has won 22 Mountainous Slam titles, will pause his tennis taking part in chase after the men’s workers tournament in Malaga.

It had been unclear whether the 38-365 days-mature dilapidated world no 1 would possibly maybe maybe be intriguing to play in the singles.

But Nadal become selected by Spain captain David Ferrer, even supposing he had no longer performed competitively for over three months.

The circulation backfired in front of a partisan Spanish crowd as Nadal misplaced 6-4 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp, who admirably maintained his composure in testing stipulations to place the Netherlands forward in the tie.

If Spain are unable to enhance the 1-0 deficit in the supreme-of-three stumble upon, there will be no other alternative for Nadal to rob to the court as a professional over again.