Novak Djokovic Triumph Over Rafael Nadal in Historic Six Kings Slam 2024
Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal 6-2, 7-6(5) to claim the third-place spot in the Six Kings Slam in the pivotal match that took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Although this match is not legally recognized as their 61st encounter, it is historically significant as the last meeting between these two legendary tennis players in a competitive environment. With Nadal’s impending retirement after the Davis Cup Finals, this final match has extra emotional significance.
The third-place match in the exhibition has historical significance being the final encounter between the two legends in a match setting with Rafael Nadal, who is retiring after the Davis Cup Finals next month, even though it was not technically counted as the 61st meeting between the two.
The match itself was significant for both the players individually and tennis as a whole, and the outcome—a 90-minute victory for Djokovic—was secondary to that. It played out similarly to their final approved encounter at the Paris Olympics this summer. when an easy first set, the second set ended in a closer match, and when the match ended, a show started.
“I’m not sure where to begin with Rafa,” Djokovic remarked after the game. An incredible career. I could talk all night. Having you share the court has been an honor.
“I think back to our very first game together, and I never imagined that we would be standing here, nearly two decades later, having played sixty games. You have my deepest respect. Amazing person, amazing athlete.
“I hope we get to sit on a bench somewhere, have a drink, and contemplate because this competition has been amazing and really intense.
“I am aware of the great sacrifice that has been made. Don’t quit tennis, man—it’s going to be an emotional day! Remain with us! You’ve left behind an incredible legacy.”
After the match, when event organizers gave him a golden racquet, Rafael Nadal expressed his regret over “nearly everything” that comes with being a professional tennis player.
“It has been a dream come true to be able to play for almost 20 years being competitive, having the chance to play in the best places in the world, which I watched on TV as a kid,” he stated. “I am incredibly grateful for all of the love and support I have gotten. Over the years, there was an incredible adventure at every single tournament.
“I feel very fortunate to be a tennis player.”
On October 10, Rafael Nadal, 38, declared his retirement from tennis following the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga the following month.
The match on Saturday was advertised by the Saudi event organizers as maybe Nadal’s final singles match as a professional.
On Thursday, Rafael Nadal expressed doubt about his ability to play singles in Malaga.
Before Saturday’s exhibition match, Djokovic and Nadal—two of the renowned “Big Three” in tennis along with Roger Federer—had faced off 60 times on the main tour, with Djokovic having a slim 31-29 advantage.
The previous time they faced each other was at the Paris Olympics, on the Roland Garros courts, where Rafael Nadal had won 14 French Open titles. Djokovic won handily, 6-1, 6-4.
The encounter on Saturday was likewise largely one-sided, with Djokovic winning the opening set in just thirty-one minutes and Rafael Nadal making a ton of mistakes.
Fueled by the passionate audience’s enthusiastic applause for Djokovic’s double-faults, Rafael Nadal battled back to force a tie-break in the second set, rattling off victories and even giving supporters one final, legendary fist pump before losing to Djokovic’s unrelenting serve.
