After defeating Rafael Nadal on Saturday in what was probably the last match of their incredible rivalry, Novak Djokovic pleaded with the Spaniard to postpone his planned retirement.
He told Nadal that he hoped they could sit on a beach somewhere and have a drink someday, adding that their fights over the years had been very fierce.
Despite the fact that this was an exhibition match, Djokovic will be happy that he had the last dance in this outstanding matchup.
Djokovic told in the post-match press conference: “It’s great to see him still fighting even though he’s had injuries and struggles. It was a very emotional day, a special day because it was the last time I played my biggest rival, Nadal. I’ve witnessed Andy Murray retiring this year and Roger Federer retiring a few years ago as well. And now Rafa, you know. It’s tough in some way to see them go, because all of my career, basically, I’ve played with them.”
Djokovic shared a beautiful post about the last dance with Nadal. He wrote: “The last dance was an epic one. And of course emotional. I’ll cherish our rivalry forever, @rafaelnadal. Tennis will miss you.”
Novak Djokovic in 2024
Now ranked no.4, Novak played his last match on the 13th of October when he lost to world no.1 Jannik Sinner 7-6(4) 6-3 in the final in Shanghai (draw).
Currently, during this season Djokovic has managed to achieve a 37-9 match record. This year, Djokovic clinched 1 title in Paris. Novak reached the final in Wimbledon and Shanghai.
Djokovic is scheduled to play next in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters). He will start to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 28th of October.
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Currently the world no.153, Rafael played his last match on the 29th of July when he surrendered to world no.4 Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-4
in the 2nd round in Paris (draw).At present, during this year the Spaniard owns a 12-7 win-loss record. Rafael Nadal’s best accomplishment of the year was reaching the final in Bastad.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal clashed against each other 60 times. Their record is 31-29 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time they squared off, Novak Djokovic won 6-1 6-4
in the 2nd round in Paris (Olympics) on the 29th of July 2024.Novak Djokovic in 2024
At the moment ranked no.4, Djokovic played his last contest on the 13th of October when he was overcome by world no.1 Jannik Sinner 7-6(4) 6-3 in the final in Shanghai (draw).
This year Novak has a compiled 37-9 record. This year, Djokovic won 1 tournament in Paris. The Serbian reached the final in Wimbledon and Shanghai.
Djokovic has scheduled to play next in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 28th of October.
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Ranked world no.153, Nadal played his last match on the 29th of July when he lost to world no.4 Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-4 in the 2nd round in Paris (draw).
Presently, during this year Nadal has managed to achieve a compiled 12-7 record. Rafael Nadal’s best achievement of the current year was reaching the final in Bastad.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal squared off 60 times. Their record is 31-29 for Djokovic. The last time they squared off, Novak Djokovic won 6-1 6-4 in the 2nd round in Paris (Olympics) on the 29th of July 2024.