Rafael Nadal declared recently that he will retire from tennis after representing Spain in Malaga in November, with the 38-year-old booking another meeting with Djokovic after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.
During their long rivalry, the two greatest players have won a total of 46 Grand Slam titles together. Djokovic won their final close match in straight sets to finish third at the event.
Throughout their lengthy careers, Nadal and Djokovic have competed in at least 60 matches against one another.
In the first set, Nadal was broken twice, but he fought back, surviving a match point and forcing a tie-break before Djokovic won 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) in the final set.
Nadal lost the first service game and quickly fell behind Djokovic. Djokovic held in the next game after coming back from 15-30 down but missed a break point to take a 4-1 lead.
In only his second singles match since the Paris Olympics, Djokovic made amends by winning the sixth game and converting a double-break advantage in the next to move further ahead of Nadal before holding serve to win the opening set.
The retiring Spaniard, who broke back immediately and then held serve to move into a 2-1 lead, presented the Serb with a much more difficult challenge after breaking Nadal early in the second set.
Djokovic come through two break points to guarantee the 6th game and Nadal endure various break points of his own to hold in the next and push 4-3 forward, with Nadal engaging to attempt to take the challenge to a last set.
On the other hand, Nadal broke back with a stunning forehand winner that saved a match point.
Djokovic prevailed in the tie-break to win in 61 minutes and then embraced his long-time rival at the net ahead of a special on-court presentation to commemorate Nadal’s career. The pair exchanged holds of serve, which brought the set to a tie-break.
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As a thank-you present, Nadal received a golden tennis racket, but the main prize of $6 million (approximately £4.6 million), the largest payout in tennis history, went to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic praised Nadal after the game, saying:
“I don’t know where to start with Rafa,” Djokovic said after his victory. “An amazing career. I could speak all night. It has been an honour to share the court with you.
Djokovic Continued:
“I go back to the very first match we played and who would know we would be standing here almost 20 years later, playing 60 times. I have the utmost respect for you. Incredible athlete, incredible person.
“The rivalry has been incredible, very intense, so I hope we will have the chance to sit on the bench somewhere, have a drink and reflect. I know how much sacrifice [there has been]. It is an emotional day, so don’t leave tennis, man! Stay with us! You have left an amazing legacy.”
On the other hand, Nadal also reacted:
“Novak, you helped me go over my limits for 15 years. I will probably not be the player I am [without you]. I wish you the best of luck for the future.
“It has been a dream come true to be able to play for almost 20 years being competitive, having the chance to play in the best places in the world, which I watched on TV as a kid.
“I cannot thank enough the support and love I have received all around. There was an amazing journey every single tournament over the years. I feel very fortunate to be a tennis player.”
