Rafael Nadal's relatively low-key retirement ceremony at the Davis Cup has been defended by the head of the International Tennis Federation as being dictated by the 22-time Grand Slam champion's wishes.

Rafael Nadal's relatively low-key retirement ceremony at the Davis Cup was defended by the head of the International Tennis Federation on Sunday.

Rafael Nadal’s remarkable 23-year career came to an end after Spain was eliminated by the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Rafael Nadal of Team Spain gets emotional while watching a video on the giants screens during his farewell after Spain being knocked out on the quarterfinal tie between Netherlands and Spain during the Davis Cup Finals at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena on November 19,

The 22-time Grand Slam champion, 38, loses to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in a Davis Cup quarterfinal. “I achieved more than I ever believed possible,” says Nadal, who announced

Spain fell behind after Nadal lost the day’s opening match and could not recover to defeat the Netherlands in Tuesday’s quarterfinal matches.

Rafael Nadal has lost 6-4, 6-4 to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in what could be the last match of the 22-time Grand Slam champion's career.

With a 2-1 loss to the Netherlands, which included Nadal's first loss in 29 Davis Cup matches, Spain was ousted, ending the indomitable Spaniard's historic court career.

Nadal won 22 Grand Slam titles in his career and retires as one of the greatest men's tennis players of all time.

Neither Rafael Nadal nor Spanish captain David Ferrer is ready to say whether the 22-time Grand Slam champion will play singles or doubles at the Davis Cup Final 8.