Third place at Six Kings exhibition tournament was won by Novak Djokovic, Topsport reported. The Serbian defeated Rafael Nadal with a 2:0 set, 6:2, 7:6(5) in probably the last match of the legendary rivalry between the two.
Over the course of 18 years, Rafa and Nole have gone head-to-head in 60 meetings, with Djokovic winning 31 and Nadal winning 29. They have met in a total of 28 finals, 9 of which have been at Grand Slam tournaments helmet.
At the beginning of the match, the Serbian made an early breakthrough in the first game. He took the Spaniard's serve once more in the 7th.
The start of the second part was more equal, with the two exchanging one break each. Midway through the set, both Nadal and Jovovic had break points that they didn't capitalize on. The Serbian broke in the 9th game and served for the match, even having a match point, which he missed. Nadal returned the break and it was a tiebreak.
In the long game, the two were winning their serves to 4:4 points when Djokovic made a minibreak. Nadal returned it immediately, but after 5:5 the Serbian won the next two points and congratulated himself on the success.
Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic waiting together to be called to the court for their final match against each other.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 19, 2024
All the feels. 🥹
pic.twitter.com/AhvUVat7ev