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Djokovic Urges Nadal to Delay Retirement After Exhibition Match Victory

Posted : 20 October 2024

Novak Djokovic urged Rafael Nadal to reconsider his retirement plans after defeating him in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) during the "Six Kings Slam" exhibition in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Djokovic expressed his hope that Nadal wouldn't leave tennis just yet, praising their intense rivalry and envisioning a future where they could reminisce together. Nadal, who plans to retire after the Davis Cup Finals next month, is uncertain if he will compete in singles due to fitness concerns, making this match likely one of his last.

 

The match, which saw Djokovic dominate the first set in 31 minutes, was billed as possibly Nadal’s final singles appearance. Despite his errors early on, Nadal rallied in the second set, pushing it to a tiebreak and thrilling the crowd with a few final iconic moments before Djokovic sealed the win. Djokovic, emotional after the match, reflected on the end of an era as he witnessed the retirements of other legends like Roger Federer and Andy Murray and now, potentially, Nadal.

 

Nadal, after receiving a golden tennis racket, thanked Djokovic for their "amazing rivalry" and the moments they shared on the court over the years. The two have met 60 times on the main tour, with Djokovic holding a slight 31-29 edge, and their rivalry remains one of the most significant in tennis history.

 

Beyond the match, Saudi Arabia continues to grow its presence in tennis. The kingdom hosted its first ATP event last year and will be the site of the next three WTA Tour Finals. Nadal, who is now an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation, will help grow the sport in the country, despite some criticism regarding Saudi Arabia's human rights record. Djokovic, while acknowledging the criticism, emphasized focusing on the positive developments in tennis there.

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