Djokovic and Nadal had faced each other 60 times on the main tour prior to Oct 19’s exhibition match.
RIYADH - Novak Djokovic implored long-time rival Rafael Nadal to put off his planned retirement after defeating the Spaniard on Oct 19 in what was likely to be the final chapter of their storied rivalry.
Nadal, 38, announced on Oct 10 that he would retire from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month. Oct 19’s match was also mostly one-sided, with Nadal spraying errors and Djokovic wrapping up the first set in just 31 minutes. It was “a very emotional day, special day” because it was the “last time I play my biggest rival, Nadal,” he added.
Saudi Arabia’s push into tennis took off last year with its first ATP Tour event – the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah – and exhibition matches pitting Djokovic against Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka against Ons Jabeur.
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