Official announcements from Rafael Nadal or tennis event organizers

Novak Djokovic Defeats Retiring Nadal 6-2, 7-6(5) in Riyadh, Ending 18-Year Rivalry

Oct 19, 2024, 07:14 PM

On October 19, 2024, at the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic played their final match against each other, marking the end of their 18-year rivalry. Djokovic defeated Nadal 6-2, 7-6(5) to secure third place in the tournament. This was their 60th meeting, the most between any two players in the Open Era, with a head-to-head record standing at 31-29 in favor of Djokovic. The two legends, who together hold 46 Grand Slam titles, shared an emotional embrace at the net. Djokovic urged Nadal not to retire, saying, "Don't leave tennis, man. Stay a little more. Stay with us." Nadal, set to retire at the end of the season, expressed gratitude for their time on court, saying, "I'm going to miss almost everything. It's been a dream come true to be able to play for almost 20 years." The match symbolized the close of an era in tennis, celebrating the legacy of one of the sport's greatest rivalries.