“Your legacy will live forever,” Novak Djokovic pens heartwarming note for retiring rival Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic paid tribute to his longtime rival Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard announced his decision to hang up his racket this season.
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Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic (Image via Instagram)
One social media post is not enough to talk about the legacy that Rafael Nadal has left behind. He will join Roger Federer on the retirement list following the final tournament of his career at the Davis Cup in Malaga. Only Novak Djokovic from the Big 3 will be seen on tennis courts then.
Djokovic will be there in Malaga to pay his respect to the Spanish legend who has pushed him again and again to do better. The Serb, who stands on top of the list of most Grand Slams, knows very well how tough it was to beat Nadal at the French Open where he won a record 14 times. In a post Djokovic shared on his social media, he wrote a heartfelt message for the retiring Nadal as he praised the 38-year-old for the greatness he has achieved in spite of his career being marred by injuries since he turned pro in 2001.
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.
Novak Djokovic wrote on Instagram
37-year-old Djokovic however, won’t be bidding goodbye to tennis anytime soon as he has time and again brushed aside retirement rumors. He even expressed the possibility of him featuring in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics following his maiden Olympic victory in Paris.
Novak Djokovic once revealed why close friendship with Rafael Nadal is impossible
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have played some of the most memorable matches in the Open Era. They have mostly met in the finals and semifinals, with their last encounter being in the second round of the Paris Olympics.
Overall, Djokovic has locked horns with Nadal 60 times and edges the Spaniard 31-29 in their head-to-head clashes. They shared one of the fiercest rivalries which is why Djokovic once said that friendship between him and Nadal is difficult.
Nadal is only a year older than me, we are both Geminis, at first we even went to dinner together, twice. But even with him, friendship is impossible.
Novak Djokovic told Italian publication Corriere Della Sera
Djokovic is in Shanghai and has reached the quarterfinals after his win over Roman Safiullin. He will next lock horns with Jakub Mensik on October 11.
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Gouri Das
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