Lopez hangs up his racket after Mallorca Open exit

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 Rafael 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.