Published on October 11, 2024 at 7:39 p.m.
On Thursday, Novak Djokovic reacted to Rafael Nadal‘s retirement with a long message published on social networks. Friday, it was on the court, after his qualification for the semi-finals of the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, that the former world number 1 paid a very nice tribute to his eternal rival.
This time, it was on the court that Novak Djokovic reacted to Rafael Nadal’s retirement. The Serb posted a long message on social media on Thursday after learning that his eternal rival would end his career after the Davis Cup finals next month. On Friday, the former world number 1 this time paid tribute to him at the microphone of the announcer of the Masters 1000 in Shanghai after his qualification for the semi-finals of the tournament at the expense of the Czech Jakub Mensik. The “GOAT”, who could win his hundredth career title this weekend, still seemed marked. For the “Djoker”, tennis will never be the same without the Mallorcan. “Rafael Nadal was my biggest rival. The rivalry I had with him is by far the one that impacted me the most in my career. Of course we knew this moment would come sooner or later, but it’s always a shock when it becomes official (…) To be honest, I’m a little overwhelmed by the events, and I don’t know what to think about it. I still love competing as much, but a part of me left with him, a big part of me,” Djokovic went so far as to declare, who remembers feeling the same way when Roger Federer and Andy Murray also had decided to say stop.
Djokovic: “Rafa was a source of inspiration for millions of children around the world”
“This was already the case for Roger Federer when he announced his retirement a few years ago, and Andy Murray also this year. » Djokovic also believes that the repercussions of this retirement go beyond the world of the little yellow ball. “This is difficult news for the world of tennis but also for the world of sport. Rafa was an inspiration, is an inspiration to millions of children around the world. He can therefore be very proud of his career. » On social networks, the day before, the Serbian had already given a very touching speech to the attention of the future retiree. “Rafa, one post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport. You’ve inspired millions of kids to start playing tennis and I think that’s probably the greatest achievement anyone could aspire to. Your tenacity, your dedication and your fighting spirit will be taught for decades (…) Your legacy will live forever. You are the only one who knows what you had to endure to become an icon of tennis and sport in general. »
