Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic hugging at the end of their last ever meeting. Rafa lets out a huge smile. They stand there for a while, because they know they won’t ever experience this again. Immortalized in tennis history. 🥹 👑👑
"Don't leave tennis man, stay a little more": Novak Djokovic makes impassioned plea to Rafael Nadal after Six Kings Slam farewell
ATPSaturday, 19 October 2024 at 20:26
Novak Djokovic has defeated Rafael Nadal for the final time. He has won at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh 6-2, 7-6 to seal third place in the tournament which will have its conclusion shortly.
But the duo were very much emotional as they played for the final time. Djokovic even made an impassioned plea to Nadal to reconsider his retirement before he gave him heavy plaudits and thanked him for his role in his career.
While Djokovic has often said that they aren't best friends and won't be while they are both active, he said about drinking on the beach and also shows real awareness for the meaning both have had on each others lives as well as those of fans.
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“Don’t leave tennis man. Stay a little more. Stay with us," said Djokovic after the match.
“The rivalry has been incredible. It’s been very intense. I hope we will have a chance to sit on the beach somewhere and have a drink reflecting on life and talking about something else.”
“Now to Rafa, I don’t know where to start. I’ll go back to the first match we played in 2005 I think it was. Who would know we would be standing here 20 years later more than 60 times we faced each other. I have the utmost respect for you. Incredible athlete. Incredible person. I’d like to congratulate all your team and family on the amazing career Rafa had. It’s also your success.
"I know how much sacrifice the family has to put for a professional tennis player. I can only imagine the highs and lows you went through with him. You deserve this success as much as he does. Congratulations. An amazing, amazing career. It’s difficult. I could speak all night. I think Rafa should speak instead of me. It’s been an incredible honor as I told you at the net. Incredible pleasure to share the court with you. It’s an emotional moment.”
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