Novak Djokovic has shared his favourite off-court tale about Rafael Nadal, as well as his greatest on-court memory of his great opponent.
Nadal retired from tennis after playing his final match of his illustrious career in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga last week.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was defeated by Botic van de Zandschulp in the first set of Spain’s shocking 2-1 quarter-final loss to the Netherlands.
Djokovic defeated Nadal in the Spanish legend’s penultimate match at the 2024 Paris Olympics in July, marking the 60th and final meeting between the two greats. The tandem has played more matches than any other male player throughout the Open Era.
In a video published by the ATP Tour, Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray all sent remarks in honor to Nadal, as did a slew of other tennis and sports figures.
Djokovic reminisced on Nadal’s career and shared his favorite recollections of his greatest competitor.
“He’s got many different incredible legacies that he will leave behind him, the achievements that are incredible, historically,” the man from Serbia told reporters.
“The tenacity, intensity, and energy that he brought to the court from the first to the last match.
“My best Rafa anecdote, privately, was seeing him dance in Colombia during an exhibition match we played in 2011.
“Professionally, he let me win my first match against him at Roland Garros. Thank you, Rafa (smile).”
Djokovic also paid respect to Nadal in a video published by the Davis Cup’s social media accounts:
Rafa. First and foremost, congratulations on your wonderful career. Your family, team, and you should all be immensely proud of everything you’ve accomplished over the course of your more than 20-year career. In the tennis locker room, we will miss your warmups, sprints, jumps, very competitive parchis, and team games before matches.
We had a lot of fun sharing the locker room, and I just hope that today, even though it is a sad day for tennis — and for Spain and sport in general — that you are retiring, that everyone will celebrate your career because there is so much to embrace and celebrate.
I believe that more importantly — and you would agree — is the legacy that you left in terms of connection with people, in terms of inspiring millions of children throughout the world to pick up a tennis racket. How you showed your enthusiasm and love for the game, and how you carried yourself on the court. How you respected your opponents and the entire tennis ecosystem during your career.
Your tenacity, fighting spirit, energy that you brought every time, strength, and power will be studied and passed down to many generations who aspire to be like you as a person and a great tennis champion. I’ve been honored and happy to be referred to as your rival for the past nearly 20 years, during which we’ve played over 60 matches. I have learnt so much in our interactions, and I appreciate you very much for making me the player that I am and have been over the last 20 years.
The tennis and sports communities will miss the wonderful energy you brought to the court. My friend, I wish you the best of luck with your charity foundation, your family, and your Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy, which continues to thrive and spread around the world, allowing you to pass on your experiences, knowledge, passion, and love for the game to the next generation. Thank you so much, and good luck, my buddy.
