In the years that followed, Nadal worked to improve his all-court game and his serve, and his results away from clay improved. He missed the Australian Open in 2006 but won his second Roland Garros title before reaching that year’s Wimbledon final and U.S. Open quarters. Roger Federer schooled him on Centre Court, winning the first set 6-0.

After a long speech on court in front of his adoring fans, family, friends and team mates, the tears flowed again as video montage of his career was played

Rafael Nadal's legendary tennis career came to an emotional end as Spain fell to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals in Malaga on Tuesday night. The 38-year-old, who recently announced the men's team event would mark his retirement,