The rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will end today, with no shocking surprises in the coming months. Two of the best players of all time will face each other in the third and fourth place finals at the 'Six Kings Slam', the much-discussed exhibition taking place in Saudi Arabia.
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The Serbian champion was defeated by Jannik Sinner in three sets in the first semi-final, while the Spanish ace gave way to his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in the second semifinal. This match between Nole and Rafa will not be considered in the official statistics, which see the legend from Belgrade leading 31-29 in H2H.
Their last official match is set to remain the same in the second round of the Paris Olympics this summer, when Novak won two sets right on the field that had certified the legend of Rafa. As everyone knows by now, the career of the 22-time Grand Slam champion will end at the Davis Cup Finals in about a month. The former world number 1 will play in Malaga for his fans and hopes to contribute to Spains path in the final round of the Davis Cup.
At this time, it seems unlikely that Nadal can be deployed individually given his poor physical condition. In Malaga, there will also be Novak, who wants to pay tribute to his biggest rival. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is still competitive at the top, but will turn 38 in 2025.
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Nole's confession
Djokovic made tennis history together with Nadal and Federer. Beyond the victories they have achieved in their incredible careers, the rivalry between the Big 3 was crucial to lead tennis into a dimension unknown until then. Nole gave a long interview to La Nacion. The Serbian tennis player also spoke about his rivalry with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic who won his first Grand Slam in Australia in 2008 starts from afar: "It took me three years to win my second Grand Slam. I was playing at a very high level, but I couldnt win another Slam because of those two. They dominated everything. I didnt have the formula to beat them. I managed to win one or two games against them, but not the important ones. I did in 2011".
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"Those three years were crucial for my growth - said Djokovic -. I was more thirsty for victories especially against them. I knew that if I could find a way to be like them in the big matches, and I knew that much of it was coming from my mind, I could somehow understand the Slam and start winning more. And thats what happened. Im proud to have been a part of this."
"One of the greatest rivalries in the history of sport". So Nole defines, the rivalry with Rafa and Roger. Djokovic, who also cited the 2010 Davis Cup victory as "a turning point" for the successes that followed. And Djokovic also spoke of Federers farewell in London in 2022: "I didnt think I was so excited. It was a sad moment, because Roger is an icon of our sport. I didnt think hed hit me like that, but at the moment you think a part of yourself is going with him. These rivalries attract millions of people to our sport, even those who do not love tennis so much get attached to one of us. People said there was no room for a third, but then we created the best tennis trio that ever had".
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Djokovic on his son
The Serbian legend will be the only one of the Fab Four still active on the professional tour next year, as Andy Murray also retired this summer during the Paris Olympics. The 37-year-old from Belgrade has cut back on his schedule in the last two years and started to focus more on his passions outside of tennis.
Djokovic loves spending time with his family and watching his children grow up. During his long interview with La Nacion, the former World No.1 spoke about his son Stefan: My son is almost 10 years old. He doesnt play tennis much, but he loves it. He also likes basketball, athletics, skiing. I used to ski and compete as a child because my father was a skier and everyone in my family did ski. Growing up, we spent a lot of time in the mountains. I like snow, I like to put on my ski boots. Last winter, I went skiing with my son. He won a competition, there were about 30 kids, and he won his first race. He was proud. I want to stay in the mountains, I found my sport.
