Rafael Nadal’s singles career ended in Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening as Novak Djokovic triumphed in their third-place match at the Six Kings Slam. And the Serb showed his class after the final instalment of their iconic rivalry with a heartwarming gesture on the court at The Venue.
The Riyadh crowd was treated to a parting showdown between the two tennis greats, in which Djokovic won 6-2 7-6 to finish third at the inaugural event.
A spirited Nadal fightback in the second set forced a tiebreak before he sent a fatal shot into the net, calling time on his illustrious singles career.
The Spaniard will hang it up with 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, a record-smashing 14 of which came at the French Open.
Nadal is now looking ahead to his swansong at next month’s Davis Cup finals, where he will team up with Carlos Alcaraz, Spain’s latest tennis icon in the making.
Djokovic ensured Nadal received the reception he deserved from those in attendance at the Six Kings Slam on Saturday.
After a warm embrace at the net, the 38-year-old approached his bench while Djokovic pointed towards him to aim the focus away from his victory.
In an emotional post-match message, the 24-time major champion later waxed lyrical about his long-time rival – who he has faced a record 60 times across his professional career on the ATP Tour.
“I have the utmost respect for you. Incredible athlete, incredible person. You know, the rivalry has been incredible, really, and has been very intense,” Djokovic said on the microphone.
“So I hope that we’ll have a chance to maybe sit on the beach somewhere and have a little drink, reflecting on life, talking about something else, you know.
“I would like to congratulate all your team and all your family on an amazing career that Rafa has had; it’s also your success.
“I know how much sacrifice a family has to put into the career and the life of a professional tennis player. I can only imagine the highs and lows that you were going through with him.
“So you deserve this success as much as he does. So congratulations. An amazing, amazing career.”
Spain are set to face the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals, which take place in Malaga from November 19 to 21.
Nadal is guaranteed to receive a hero’s goodbye on home turf before he follows another of Djokovic’s fiercest rivals, Roger Federer, out of the professional game for good.
