Rafael Nadal is set to face his long-time rival Novak Djokovic one final time before retiring from professional tennis, as the pair are scheduled to meet in the third-place match at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia. This encounter comes after Nadal’s 6-3 6-3 semi-final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, while Djokovic fell to Jannik Sinner in a thrilling 6-2 6-7(0) 6-4 match.
The upcoming clash between Nadal and Djokovic carries significant emotional weight, given their storied rivalry. Nadal expressed his sentiments, stating, “To have Novak in front of me, it’s like a nostalgic thing. We’ve played each other a lot, so it’ll be fun to play each other again in this match.” Their head-to-head record stands at a close 31-29 in Djokovic’s favor, with this being their 61st encounter.
The Six Kings Slam, held in Riyadh, offers a substantial $6 million prize for the winner of the final between world number one Sinner and Alcaraz. This high-stakes exhibition showcases some of tennis’s biggest stars in a unique setting.
Nadal, who recently announced his retirement, last faced Djokovic in the second round of the Paris Olympics, losing 6-1 6-4. The 22-time Grand Slam champion is also considering participating in the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga from November 19-24, potentially teaming up with Alcaraz in doubles.
Regarding his Davis Cup participation, Nadal commented, “Emotionally, I’m sure I’ll be ready. Physically and in terms of tennis level there is a month left to prepare. If I don’t feel ready for the singles I’ll be the first one to say (it) and let’s see if I can help in some way.”
The 38-year-old Spaniard also praised Alcaraz’s career trajectory, noting, “He has a great team, a great family. He’s going to do very well with what he’s got. He’s learning all the time. We can see he’s developing in every way. But of course I’ll be ready whenever he wants to call me.”
This exhibition match serves as a poignant moment in tennis history, allowing fans to witness one last encounter between two of the sport’s greatest rivals. As Nadal prepares to bid farewell to professional tennis, this final clash with Djokovic in Saudi Arabia marks the end of an era in men’s tennis.
