In Riyadh, in one of the press conferences during the rich exhibition tournament The Six Kings Slam, Rafael Nadal shared a series of interesting behind-the-scenes stories that concerned his last year of activity that led to his decision to retire after the Davis Cup Finals 2024.
ADVERTISEMENT
A decision, difficult and not easy, taken because of a body that no longer responds as it should. It is a concept reiterated several times by the Spaniard, who returned to talk about everything that preceded his announcement of wanting to retire at the end of the season.
"Last year I said that this would probably be my last year, and it was like that. It's just that I announced it a little later. People expected me to do it before Roland Garros. I gave myself the necessary time, it represents an important change in my life compared to what I have done in the last 30 years," he said.
He then revealed the reasons that led him to delay the most complicated decision of his entire career: "They should have said goodbye to me in Rome and Paris, but I wanted to give myself more time. I thought it was necessary to see how my body evolved after a difficult operation like the one I underwent on my hip. I am not exhausted or tired of my sport. I am not able to do it consistently at the level and standards that compensate me and motivate me. To reach this conclusion I had to wait a while and I think it was something I needed."
The Spaniard is thus the second of the Big 3 to lift the trophy and retire, after Roger Federer in September 2022, and the third instead counting the Fab 4 Andy Murray. The last one who will remain active on the major circuit in 2025 will be Novak Djokovic.
ADVERTISEMENT
Novak Djokovic and the rivalry with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
In the meantime - speaking of Big 3 and rivalries - Novak Djokovic gave a long interview to La Nacion, in which he also spoke about the rivalry with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic, who won his first Slam in Australia in 2008, started from afar, said: "It took me three years to win my second Grand Slam. I was playing at a very high level, but I couldn't win another Slam because of those two. They dominated everything. I didn't have the formula to beat them. Against them I managed to win one or two matches, but not the important ones. I won again in 2011. Those three years were crucial for my growth. They made me more hungry 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 a lot of that came from the mind, I could somehow understand the Slams and start winning more. And that's what happened. I'm proud to have been part of all that."
ADVERTISEMENT
Nole has defined as one of the greatest rivalries in the history of sports, the rivalry with Rafa and Roger. Djokovic, who also cited the 2010 Davis Cup win as a turning point for the successes that followed. And Djokovic also spoke about Federer's farewell in London in 2022.
"I didn't think I would be so emotional. It was a sad moment, because Roger is an icon of our sport. I didn't think he would hit me like that, but in that moment you think a part of you goes with him. These rivalries attract millions of people to our sport, even those who don't like tennis that much become attached to one of us. People said there was no room for a third, but then we created the most beautiful trio that tennis has ever had," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Talking about his Spanish rival, the Serbian champion told, after the 3rd post final in Riyadh:
"I want to thank whoever organized this event, it was an amazing experience. Thank you for inviting us, we played in front of a great crowd. Thank you for the respect and support you gave us. Rafa, I don't know where to start. I go back to the first match I played against you in Paris in 2006. Who would have said that after 20 years we would still be here. You are an incredible athlete and person, I respect you a lot.
ADVERTISEMENT
I hope that one day we will have the possibility and the chance to go to the beach and have a nice drink to reflect on life and talk about other things, because it has been a very tough journey. I could talk all night. It has been an honor and a pleasure to share the court with you, it is an emotional moment. We have played so many matches over the years. Thank you not only from me, but from the entire tennis world. Everyone has always appreciated you."
