(Reuters) – Feliciano Lopez’s 26-year playing career came to an when the 41-year-old lost 6-2 6-4 to Yannick Hanfmann in the quarter-finals of the Mallorca Open on Thursday.
The Spanish left-hander had delighted the home crowd with victories over Australians Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson but fell short against Germany’s Hanfmann.
Lopez, who reached a career high ranking of 12 and holds the record for appearing in 79 successive Grand Slam main draws, was cheered on by 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal during his final event as a professional.
The three-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist will now focus on his new role as tournament director of the Davis Cup — a competition he won four times.
Hanfmann, who also beat top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Mallorca grasscourt event, will face Adrian Mannarino or Corentin Moutet in the semi-finals.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)
