Novak Djokovic makes personal promise to Rafael Nadal in touching tribute
Novak Djokovic has promised Rafael Nadal that he will be there “in person” to celebrate the Spaniard’s career when he retires at the Davis Cup.
Former world No 1 and 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal confirmed in a special video message earlier today that he would call time on his career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
Speculation has grown in recent months that the Finals could be the Spaniard’s farewell event, with Nadal having previously helped his nation win the famed men’s team event on four separate occasions.
Djokovic and Nadal have been the defining rivals of each other’s respective careers, with no other pairing in ATP history able to match their 60 separate contests.
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Their meetings span 18 years, from a 2006 French Open quarter-final to the second round of the Olympic Games this year, with the Serbian holding a narrow 31-29 advantage in their rivalry.
They met in nine Grand Slam finals and 28 finals overall, while Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam singles titles and Nadal’s haul of 22 rank them first and second in men’s tennis history.
Taking to Instagram this afternoon, Djokovic paid a classy tribute to his leading rival and confirmed that he would be in Malaga in the Finals to help mark the unique occasion.
He wrote: “Rafa, one post is not enough to express the respect I have for you and what you have done for our sport.
“You have inspired millions of children to start playing tennis and I think that’s probably greatest achievement anyone can wish for.
“Your tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit is going to be taught for decades. Your legacy will live forever. Only you know what you had to endure to become icon of tennis and sport in general.
“Thank you for pushing me to the very limit so many times in our rivalry that has impacted me the most as a player.
“Your passion for representing Spain has always been remarkable. I wish you best possible farewell in Malaga with Davis Cup team of Spain. I will be there in person to pay respect to your stellar career.”
Nadal has not played a singles match since his loss to Djokovic at the Olympics this summer, with his last match coming alongside Carlos Alcaraz in their men’s doubles defeat in Paris.
The Spaniard has since withdrawn from the US Open and Laver Cup in what has been a troubling two seasons, with injury wreaking havoc on the latter stages of his career.
