The Venue in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh will ceaselessly maintain a particular place within the hearts of tennis followers throughout the globe for internet hosting the dream nostalgic duel between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. With the Spaniard set to retire from skilled tennis subsequent month following the Davis Cup Finals on dwelling soil, the conflict on the Six Kings Slam exhibition event on Saturday night time was their last profession assembly. Djokovic received 6-2 7-6(5) within the third-place play-off.
It was a relatively lacklustre first set from Rafa, with Djokovic gaining a fast lead within the match after breaking serve twice, however the second set was a far nearer affair because the 22-time Grand Slam winner wouldn’t go down with no combat.
Djokovic did break serve once more firstly of the second set, however Nadal returned the favour to make it 1-1, and he stayed within the battle thereafter. The Spaniard had the possibility to realize a 4-2 lead within the set and power a deciding third within the exhibition conflict, the Serb survived to maintain it at 3-all, and later broke serve to realize a 5-4 lead. However simply when it appeared that the match was over, Nadal turned again the clock with some trademark forehand returns, to save lots of a match level after which break Djokovic.
The 2 unimaginable factors helped Nadal, who stays in preparation to play the Davis Cup tie for Spain in Malaga on November 19, take a 6-5 lead within the second set, however the world No. 4 held his nerves to disclaim a 3rd set within the match.
‘Novak helped me go over my limits for 15 years’
Following the match, Rafa thanked Djokovic for serving to him emerge as a greater participant via the course of their iconic rivalry spanning over a decade and a half, with a primary main assembly again in 2006 French Open.
“Novak, you helped me go over my limits for 15 years,” he stated. “I’ll most likely not be the participant I’m [without you]. I want you the very best of luck for the long run.”
Nadal, in an emotional speech, admitted that he would miss each facet of his skilled profession when he hangs the boots subsequent month.
“It has been a dream come true to have the ability to play for nearly 20 years, being aggressive, having the possibility to play in the very best locations on the planet, which I watched on TV as a child,” he stated.
“I can not thanks sufficient for the help and love I’ve acquired throughout. There was a tremendous journey each single event through the years. I really feel very lucky to be a tennis participant.”
