Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal at the Six Kings Slam in what could be the Spaniard’s last ever singles match.
In a predictable but no less disappointing turn of events, Rafael Nadal announced his upcoming retirement from tennis last week.
After defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals, a third-place playoff against the similarly defeated Novak Djokovic was set.
After a comprehensive first-set went the way of the Serb 6-2, before a vintage Nadal fightback in the second.
Decided by a tie-break, Nadal unfortunately couldn’t push the match to a decider, losing 7-5.
Novak Djokovic says what he hopes him and Rafael Nadal can do in the future
They faced each other 60 times (excluding exhibitions), including in all four major finals, with Djokovic leading 31–29 overall.
Coincidentally the last singles match Nadal played before this one was also against Djokovic at the Paris Olympics.
Having forged one if the greatest career rivalries of all time, Djokovic outlined what he hopes he and his contemporary can one day share together.
Speaking after the victory, he said: “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.”
In a neat moment of tennis greats coming together, Nadal’s final two matches may well have been against his greatest rival.
When could Novak Djokovic retire?
At 37, Djokovic is still at, or at least close to, the top of the sport, with his Olympic gold coming in August.
He has openly stated that he wants to keep playing as long as he feels competitive and enjoys the process, with targets like surpassing more records still driving him.
However, the physical demands of tennis, coupled with emerging younger rivals like Alcaraz and Sinner, could influence his decision in the near future.
Injuries or a potential dip in performance might also prompt him to consider retirement sooner rather than later.
Ultimately, Djokovic’s exit from the sport will likely hinge on whether he continues to feel capable of adding to his already extraordinary legacy.
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