WATCH | Emotional scenes as Rafael Nadal's sensational tennis career ends

Superstar Rafael Nadal's glittering career in professional tennis came to an end on Tuesday as Netherlands eliminated Spain in the Davis Cup quarter-finals.

The 38-year-old Spaniard, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, was defeated in the first singles rubber and after Carlos Alcaraz won the second match to send the tie to a doubles decider, the Dutch triumphed to snatch a 2-1 win.

READ | Federer pens emotional letter to Nadal ahead of imminent retirement

Nadal was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Botic van de Zandschulp in the opening singles clash, before Alcaraz defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (7/0), 6-3.

In the deciding doubles rubber, Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof secured a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3) victory over Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers to set up a semi-final clash with Canada or Germany.

After years ravaged by injuries and not having played an official singles match since July, doubts hung over Nadal's involvement in the tie.

They were resolved when captain David Ferrer confirmed he would play in the first singles rubber of the opening finals clash.

Nadal appeared emotional during the Spanish national anthem, and over 10,000 fans filled the arena with chants of "Rafa, Rafa," when it ended.

"I was having an emotional day, nerves before what could be my last singles match as a professional," said Nadal.

"The emotions hearing the national anthem for the last time as a professional were very special."

And that's how we'll always remember you, Rafa#DavisCup #Rafa #GraciasRafa pic.twitter.com/XWEGT35anq

Nadal had won his last 29 Davis Cup singles matches out of 30 played - after debuting in the tournament in 2004.

Despite giving every ounce of his energy in the second set and buoyed by immense home support, Nadal fell short.

"In the beginning I