The tennis world is still shocked by the retirement of Rafael Nadal of the ATP professional circuit and, during the exhibition tournament called Six Kings Slamwhich is being developed in Saudi Arabiathe Spaniard starred in a last battle against his eternal rival: Novak Djokovic. The Serbian won 6-2 and 7-6 (5) and took third place in the competition. Once the match is over, Absent He dedicated a moving speech to Rafa and left him a special request.
“Don’t leave tennis, Rafa. Stay a little longer. Stay with us”, the Serbian pleaded with him during the awards ceremony, once the confrontation was over. The fourth in the world ranking grabbed the microphone and expressed the gratitude he has for the Spaniard after so many years playing against each other. “I have the utmost respect for you. You are an incredible athlete and an incredible person. The rivalry has been incredible and very intense, so I hope we have the opportunity to sit on the beach and have a drink reflecting on life, talking about anything,” Djokovic added, with his usual humor.
In turn, Djokovic recalled the first confrontations when both were taking their first steps in tennis. “I go back to the first game we played against each other in 2005, I think it was. Who would have thought that we would be here 20 years later and with more than 60 games on the biggest stages of this sport”, recalled the native of Belgrade.
After their first meeting in 2006, the tennis glories dueled 61 times in total, including 29 finals. Both items are in favor of Djokovic, since in the total history he prevails with 32 victories against 29 for Nadal. Besides, Absent he lifted 16 trophies against 13 of Rafa in finals against each other.
“I would like to congratulate your team and your family on Rafa’s incredible career, success is also his. I know how much sacrifice your family has put into this and the life of a professional tennis player.. I can imagine the ups and downs they went through, so they deserve the success as much as he does. Congratulations on an incredible career,” Djokovic continued. In turn, he added: “It’s difficult. I could talk all night, but I don’t want to take up too much time. I think Rafa should speak in my place but, once again, It has been an incredible honor, as I have told you online, it has been a pleasure to share the court with you. It is an emotional moment, a day of emotions. We have played so many games over the years.”
After the stadium prostrated itself at the feet of both tennis players, who left their names engraved in the golden books of sport, Absent He closed his speech to Nadal by thanking him for what he did on the ATP circuit. “I will end with a big thank you, not only from me, but from the entire tennis world for everything you have done. You leave an incredible legacy and we value it very much,” he concluded.
In this way, Djokovic and Nadal met for the last time to put the finishing touch to a historic rivalry. Despite this, in some moments it was evident that the Spaniard’s mind is immersed in what will be his last tournament: the Final 8 of the Davis Cup, which will be played in Malaga from November 19 to 24. After Absent has received his trophy for third place in the competition, in which Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will play the final, the organization gave the Spaniard a golden racket, while they showed a video in honor of his career
“Thank you for everything, for what you have said and for the amazing rivalry we have had, because you have helped me overcome my limits all these years. I wish you and your team the best for the future. I’m going to miss everything. It has been more than 20 years of career in which my dreams have more than come true and I have had great support from the world of tennis. “I have been very lucky for everything,” commented Nadal.
The rivalry between the two will be recorded in eternity and in the golden books of tennis history, in which Roger Federer with which they formed the historic “Big Three” that dominated the circuit like never before seen. Nadal’s retirement stunned, not only the world of tennis, but of sport, including the greeting of Your Majestywith whom he is a close friend, countless big stars said goodbye to the Brick Dust King.
