Rafael Nadal says whether he wants to face Novak Djokovic one last time at the Six Kings Slam

Posted by Admin October 16, 2024 Tennis

After spending a large portion of his career battling Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal is content if he doesn’t square off against his rival at the Six Kings Slam.

The 22-time major winner is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia preparing for a blockbuster exhibition event featuring his Paris Olympics doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune and Djokovic.

Nadal is set to retire from tennis after November’s Davis Cup finals, bringing an end to a stellar career that spanned over two decades.

But the Spaniard will aim to win the Six Kings Slam before returning home to bid farewell to the sport he gave so much to.

Would Rafael Nadal like to play Novak Djokovic at the Six Kings Slam?

Rafael Nadal’s professional tennis career is heavily intertwined with Novak Djokovic’s, who he faced 60 times between 2006 and 2024.

The Mallorca native prevailed on 29 occasions and his final victory against the Serbian came at the 2022 French Open.

At the Six KIngs Slam, Nadal may have a chance to square off against his rival one final before hanging up his racket.

But in an interview with DAZN Sport before he takes to the court, Nadal had no issues with the prospect of not facing Djokovic one more time. “We have played plenty of times, we don’t need to play again,” Nadal said with a smile.

“But it’s always been a big challenge, a great rival and he’s a player who has always been pushing me at the highest level, going through the limits. I think that’s the same feeling we have between each other.

“Both of us, with Roger too, we push ourselves to the next level because the opponent in front has always been very strong and we need to be improving all the time to compete at the level we need to enjoy that success.”

Photo by Markus Gilliar – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images

Who will Rafael Nadal play at the Six Kings Slam?

Nadal will commence the Six Kings Slam on Thursday October 17 against either Alcaraz or Rune, before contesting one final match on Saturday.

Nadal, has lowered his expectations for the event given he has not played since the Olympics in July, but he relishing the chance to compete against the world’s best players again.

“I am going to try my best. I know that challenge is huge because I am going to be facing players that are on the tour playing very competitive matches against each other and facing the best players of the world,” he said.

“So my expectations are not very high but on a personal level I am very excited to be on court and play against these guys again.

“I think the show is going to be fantastic because when you put all these players together I think the fans are going to be very well entertained and the show is going to be huge.”