Novak Djokovic Urges Rafael Nadal to Stay in Tennis
RIYADH: Novak Djokovic implored long-time adversary Rafael Nadal to put off his planned retirement after defeating the Spaniard in what was likely to be the final chapter of their "amazing rivalry".
"Don’t leave tennis, man," Djokovic said in an on-court interview after beating Nadal in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) at the ‘Six Kings Slam’ exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
He added that their battles over the years had been "very intense" and told Nadal he hoped they could one day "sit on a beach somewhere" and have a drink.
Nadal, 38, announced on Oct 10 that he would retire from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month.
Organisers of the Saudi event billed Saturday’s match as perhaps Nadal’s last singles contest as a professional.
Nadal said Thursday he was unsure whether he would be fit enough to play singles in Malaga.
Djokovic and Nadal, two of the sport’s famed ‘Big Three’ along with Roger Federer, had faced each other 60 times on the main tour prior to Saturday’s exhibition match, with Djokovic holding a narrow 31-29 edge.
Sinner Outs Lasts Alcaraz
In the exhibition final on Saturday, Australian Open and US Open winner Jannik Sinner outlasted French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, avenging his loss in Beijing earlier this month.
"I wake up in the morning trying to understand the ways how to beat him," Sinner said in an on-court interview after winning the match 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-3, adding that he hoped their rivalry would last "as long as possible".
Alcaraz has a 6-4 edge in head-to-head tour contests.
Saudi Arabia’s Tennis Promotion
Saudi Arabia’s push into tennis took off last year with its first ATP Tour event – the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah – and exhibition matches pitting Djokovic against Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka against Ons Jabeur.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced in April that Riyadh would host the next three editions of the Tour Finals, featuring the top eight singles players and doubles teams. The 2024 showpiece will be staged from Nov 2-9.
Earlier this year, Nadal was named ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation.
Conclusion
Djokovic’s win over Nadal marked a significant moment in their long-standing rivalry, with Djokovic urging Nadal to reconsider his decision to retire. The two tennis greats have been locked in a battle for supremacy for years, with Djokovic now holding a narrow lead in their head-to-head record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Novak Djokovic win the match against Rafael Nadal?
A: Djokovic won the match 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) in straight sets.
Q: Is this Rafael Nadal’s final match as a professional?
A: Nadal announced his retirement from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month, but he is unsure if he will be fit enough to play singles.
Q: What is the current head-to-head record between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal?
A: Djokovic holds a narrow 31-29 edge over Nadal.