Emotional scenes at the net 🥹 A warm embrace at the net between Djokovic and Nadal as Novak defeats the Spaniard 6-2 7-6 🤝 #SixKingsSlam
Liam Broady analyzes Rafael Nadal's physical decline after Six Kings Slam: “You just can’t do that anymore”
ATPMonday, 21 October 2024 at 05:30
Liam Broady
commented on Rafael Nadal's performance during his participation in the Six
Kings Slam. The Brit mentioned that Nadal's loss of physical ability prevented
him from displaying the strong returning game that has characterised his career
and his ability to move around the court.
The 22-time
Grand Slam champion played this week in his last event before retiring at the
Davis Cup. Although it was an exhibition tournament, the matches against Carlos
Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic attracted attention as part of Nadal's final
appearances and his last duels against two historic players.
Broady Reflects on Spaniard's Struggles
In his
final tournament, Nadal will team up with Alcaraz, while Djokovic will not be
in Malaga after Serbia's early elimination in the qualifying round. It remains
unknown whether the legendary Spaniard will play singles or doubles, although
he did not appear to be at his best level during his time in Riyadh, suffering
two heavy defeats.
The
30-year-old Brit, Broady, closely followed the exhibition tournament and shared
his views on Nadal's performances. In the third-place match against Djokovic,
he had a first set full of errors, winning only two games. In the second set,
he recovered from a break down when Djokovic was leading 5-4 to stay in the
match. Although he extended it to a tie-break, the Serbian was ultimately more
consistent and took the win with scores of 6-2, 7-6.
“Over the
years, we’ve seen Rafael Nadal being one of the best returners on tour,”
commented Liam Broady after the last Djokovic-Nadal match with the Spaniard
still being a professional. “It’s always been from two or three metres behind
the baseline, especially on the second serve, just allowing himself that time
to rip the forehand from anywhere on the court.”
Nadal won his last Grand Slam title at 2022 French Open
For the
former world No. 93, Nadal's physical issues over the past two years have
hindered him from moving with the ease he showed throughout his career: “But
with the waning of his physicality, you just can’t do that anymore. If you go
back there, you’re going to have to move in ways that he just physically
can’t.”
Despite the
loss, it was a special occasion for Nadal following the 'Last Dance' against
Djokovic, the rivalry with the most match-ups in the Open Era and between the
two top Grand Slam champions, after 60 official matches where Nole leads 31-29.
“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,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic said after the
match. “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.”
“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 honour, as I told you
at the net,” the world No. 4 added. “Incredible pleasure to share the court
with you. It’s an emotional moment.”
Nole ended
his speech jokingly asking Nadal to praise his career a bit more: “Don’t leave
tennis, man,” Djokovic said. “Stay a little more. Stay with us.”
In the same
way, Nadal showed his class before his rival, with whom he has dominated the
tour for the last few decades. “I want to say a few words for Novak and his
team. Thank you. For everything. What you said today and all the moments we
shared on court. It’s been an amazing rivalry. In a personal way, you helped me
go beyond my limits for almost 15 years.
“Without
that, I wouldn’t be the player I am today. Congratulations on all the titles
and amazing career to you and your team. I wish you all the best of luck for
the future.”
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