Tennis legends Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal took to the court one last time in a thrilling encounter at the “Six Kings Slam” exhibition event in Saudi Arabia. Djokovic emerged victorious, beating Nadal in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6 (7/5). But the highlight of the evening wasn’t just the scoreline—it was Djokovic’s heartfelt tribute to his long-time rival and friend as Nadal approaches retirement.
Novak Djokovic message to Rafael Nadal
After the match, Novak Djokovic took a moment to express his deep admiration and respect for Nadal. “Don’t leave tennis, man,” Djokovic urged in his on-court interview, reflecting on their storied rivalry that spanned over a decade. He added, “It’s been an incredible honour and an incredible pleasure to share the court with you.”
Djokovic, who recently claimed his 24th Grand Slam title, continued, “It’s been quite an emotional moment today, we’ve been playing a lot of games over so many years. The rivalry has been incredible and very intense, so I hope that we’ll have a chance to maybe sit on the beach somewhere, have a little drink, reflect on life, and talk about something else.”
In his message, Djokovic also thanked Nadal for his immense contributions to tennis, stating, “Thank you for what you have done, you leave an incredible legacy, and we really appreciate it.”
Rafael Nadal appreciation for rivalry
Despite the loss, Rafael Nadal responded with grace, praising Djokovic for pushing him to his limits throughout their careers. “Thank you, Novak, for everything, for all the moments we shared on court during our careers. It’s been an amazing rivalry,” Nadal said, acknowledging Djokovic’s impact on his own achievements.
Rafael Nadal, whose men’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles was recently surpassed by Djokovic, added, “In a personal way, you helped me go over my limits during almost 15 years. Without that, I wouldn’t be the player I am today. Congratulations for all the titles and an amazing career to you and your team. I wish you all the best of luck for the future.”
Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic rivalry
The Nadal-Djokovic rivalry will go down as one of the greatest in tennis history. In 60 matches, the two legends battled fiercely, with Djokovic narrowly leading their head-to-head record 31-29.
Rafael Nadal final Tennis match
Rafael Nadal is set to retire following his participation in the Davis Cup Finals for Spain, which will take place in Malaga from November 19-24. This match in Saudi Arabia marked the final exhibition clash between the two titans, ending a remarkable chapter in tennis history.
