No fairytale ending as Rafael Nadal’s career ends in defeat

Rafael Nadal could not conjure the fairytale ending his career deserved as the Spanish 22-times Grand Slam champion bowed out with defeat in the Davis Cup on an emotionally charged and tearful night in Malaga on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old’s legs and mind were as willing as ever but the magic was missing as he lost 6-4 6-4 to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in what proved to be his final competitive match.

Spain’s new tennis king Carlos Alcaraz levelled the quarter-final tie beating...