Four-time Davis Cup Winner Retires After 26 Years: Report

Lopez, who has advanced to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon three times, will now concentrate on his new position as Davis Cup tournament director. 

Feliciano Lopez, 41, fell 6-2, 6-4 to Yannick Hanfmann in the Mallorca Open quarterfinals on Thursday, ending his 26-year playing career. The Spanish left-hander had wowed the home fans by defeating Australians Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson but failed to defeat Hanfmann.

Nadal supported Lopez 

During his farewell match as a professional, Lopez, who attained a career-high ranking of 12 and owns the distinction for participating in 79 consecutive Grand Slam main draws, received support from 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.

The four-time Davis Cup champion will now concentrate on his new position as the tournament director of Davis Cup. He the quarterfinals of Wimbledon three times.In the semifinals, Hanfmann—who defeated top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Mallorca grasscourt competition as well—will play either Adrian Mannarino or Corentin Moutet.

The 'Strange' player

Feliciano Lopez likes to describe himself as the 'strange' player. The primary reason behind this is that, naturally, Spanish players grow up to be experts on clay courts. However, for Feliciano, it was different.

“I was a different player without trying to be, because of my identity as a player, my style and my serve,” Lopez told ATPTour.com. “But I didn’t train to have that style of tennis. I grew up like most Spaniards. I trained in Barcelona, but naturally decided to be this type of player, different to the rest.”

With more victories on grass than any other Spaniard, Lopez's final match took place on the type of court that has brought him the most delight throughout his career. He is top with 87 wins in grass court, eight more than Nadal at 79. Since winning the main draw singles match at Roland Garros in 2002, he hasn't missed a single main draw match in that category for 20 years.