- “Amazing” Djokovic vs. Nadal rivalry comes to an end at Six Kings Slam
- Swiss Indoors Basel Draws and Schedule for Monday, October 21, 2024
- Roberto Bautista Agut Wins Antwerp Title at Age 36
- Karen Khachanov Defeats Gabriel Diallo to win Almaty Crown
- Swiss Indoors Basel Draws and Schedule for Sunday, October 20, 2024
- RadioTennis.com Broadcasts Mercer Classic with Top Seed Renata Zarazua
- Tennis News: Danielle Collins Reverses Course on Retirement, Will Play in 2025
- Tennis News: Iga Swiatek Hires Wim Fissette as New Coach
- Tennis Channel’s T2 to Show Return of Rafael Nadal Live During This Week’s Six Kings Slam
- RadioTennis.com: Mercer Classic – Media Day – The Otis Redding Foundation – Macon, GA
- Ricky’s picks for this week’s events in Antwerp, Stockholm, and Almaty
- Sinner Stops Djokovic in Shanghai Final for Seventh Title of 2024
- Rolex Shanghai Masters Draws and Schedule for Sunday, October 13, 2024
- Rolex Shanghai Masters Draws and Schedule for Saturday, October 12, 2024
- Nadal announces retirement, Davis Cup Finals will be last appearance
“Amazing” Djokovic vs. Nadal rivalry comes to an end at Six Kings Slam
- Updated: October 20, 2024
One of the best rivalries in tennis history wrote its final chapter on Saturday.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal squared off for the last time–this one in an exhibition rather than on the main tour–at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Djokovic won their third-place match 6-2, 7-6(5).
“Thank you very much for all of the moments we shared on court during all of our careers,” Nadal told Djokovic during on-court interviews. “We have had an amazing rivalry. You helped me to go over my limits, so thank you for that–because without that, I would probably not be the player that I am today.”
The 37-year-old Spaniard is, of course, well past his prime today. However, he captured 22 Grand Slam titles–including a record 14 at the French Open.
“The rivalry has been incredible,” Djokovic agreed. “It has been very intense, so I hope we will have a chance to sit on the beach somewhere and have a drink reflecting on life and talking about something else,” Djokovic said during his on-court interview. “It’s been an incredible honor and pleasure to share the court with you. It’s an emotional moment and an emotional day. We’ve been playing so many matches over so many years.
“I will finish with one big thank you from not just me, but all of the tennis world, for what you have done. You have left an incredible legacy.”
Djokovic and Nadal faced each other an almost hard-to-believe 60 times in official competitions, with Djokovic holding a 31-29 edge in the head-to-head series.
Nadal will wrap up his career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on Twitter at @Dimonator.