Novak Djokovic Pays Emotional Tribute to Rafael Nadal, Says Part of Him ‘Left’ with Spaniard After Retirement

Novak Djokovic, who last clashed with Rafael Nadal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, held a 31-29 head-to-head edge over the Spaniard.

Novak Djokovic Pays Emotional Tribute to Rafael Nadal, Says Part of Him ‘Left’ with Spaniard After Retirement

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal (Image via X/@Djoko_UTD)

Novak Djokovic, before starting the bid for his fourth French Open title, attended the tribute ceremony of his longtime rival Rafael Nadal. In front of his family, friends, ardent fans, and his three biggest rivals (Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray), the King of Clay bade an emotional farewell at the Roland Garros, where he dominated for nearly two decades.

Federer was the first among the Big 4 to call time on his career (at the 2022 Laver Cup), followed by Murray at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Nadal after Spain’s defeat to the Netherlands in the quarterfinal of the 2024 Davis Cup.

Age is catching up on Djokovic as well, as he has dealt with ups and downs since the start of the 2024 season, winning just two titles- the gold medal at the Paris Olympics and recently the Geneva Open.

Djokovic, after his victory over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the ATP 250 tournament in the Swiss city, said he experienced a massive drop in form after the retirement of the 22-time Grand Slam champion. He reiterated the same in French after his 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) win over home favorite Corentin Moutet in the second round of the French Open.

It’s not easy in the last few years to see, as you say, the others, they are and they remain, the biggest rival that I see in my career. So it’s true that, especially when Rafa left, a big part of me left with him. I thought that it wouldn’t be, but it’s true, it really felt like that.

Novak Djokovic said during his on-court interview

Nadal played his final singles match on clay against the 24-time Grand Slam champion. They met in the second round of the Paris Olympics, which Djokovic won before reaching the final and defeating Carlos Alcaraz to clinch his career’s first Olympic gold medal.

Roland Garros ignores Novak Djokovic’s wish

In the press conference after his win over Corentin Moutet, Novak Djokovic expressed his wish to watch the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. The final is scheduled for Saturday (May 31) at Allianz Arena.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Djokovic’s third-round match against Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic, however, will overlap with the final. His match is scheduled to start in the night session with the Roland Garros organizers, placing it in the 8:15 slot.

It’s going to be PSG that I will support. I will definitely watch it if I’m not playing night session. Yeah, that will be nice. FYI, Roland Garros schedule (laughs).

Djokovic is chasing his historic 25th Grand Slam title in the clay-court Major, last winning it in the 2023 season by breezing past Casper Ruud. Last year, he had booked a spot in the quarterfinals, but an injury forced him to retire.

Djokovic last lifted a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open. Since then, he made it to just one Major final, at 2024 Wimbledon, which he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.

Filip Misolic is Novak Djokovic’s former hitting partner

Djokovic’s third round opponent, Misolic, will be meeting a Grand Slam champion for the third time in his career. Prior to setting up the clash with the three-time French Open winner, the 23-year-old had met Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem.

Filip Misolic
Filip Misolic (Image via X/Mr. Aura Picks)

Djokovic had trained with Misolic before last year’s US Open, where the Serb got knocked out in the third round. Before Djokovic, Misolic clinched a win against Denis Shapovalov after a hard-fought battle.

Reaching the Roland Garros third round is Misolic’s best Grand Slam performance. He had qualified for last year’s French Open as well but fell in the second round to Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.

Also read: Aryna Sabalenka Reveals Her Change of Personality on the Court After Her Third-Round Win at Garros