Name: "It's always unique and special to play Rafa" - Novak Djokovic post match interview | Six Kings Slam
Uploaded: 2024-10-22T05:52:11.000Z
Duration: 3 min 32 s
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Past simple

How did it feel to get the win in such an emotional match?

Future simple

Well, to be honest, it was not as much about winning the match as much as it was really to try to enjoy every moment of the last matchup that we'll have against each other.

We had 60 plus matches over the course of last 19 years, so it was quite an emotional, quite a different feeling on the court.

It always is very unique and special when I play him, but the closer we were getting to the retirement or the last match, eventually one of us was going to retire first.

I'm really glad that we got another chance to play, for sure, here in Riyadh, in Saudi, in front of an incredibly passionate crowd.

A crowd that showed appreciation for both players, particularly for him and his fighting spirit.

You could see that I was serving for the match.

He made some incredible winners and showed once again why he's Rafael Nadal, a legend, an icon of our sport.

It was just an honor and pleasure to share the court with him once more.

Are there any memorable stories or moments that you have with him that you can share with us?

We had a lot of fun in Colombia when we played a match there back in 2011.

That was the first time that I got to know him a little bit off the court, privately.

We got to spend some time, had dinners and some private time.

Chats about life, about tennis, about just different things.

We played every single year for the last 19-20 years, several times.

No other rivalry had so many matches in the history of tennis.

Very intense and it's not easy to be very close to each other.

That's why I said on the court, hopefully, we're going to have a chance to have a mojito on the beach and just relax and reflect on everything from a little bit more of a relaxed perspective.

It's wonderful to see him, obviously, with his family.

He became a father a few years ago and it's amazing.

Today, as I was playing, I was reflecting on all the matches we played and the rivalry.

It was a very special moment that I will definitely remember for a long time.

For sure, because I think everyone that loves tennis, also sports fans, they knew about this rivalry and were looking forward to our matchups.

The finals or grand slams or biggest tournaments in sports.

We played in every big stage that you can think of.

The rivalries with him, with Roger and him, the three of us, and Andy, of course, Murray.

That's something that has, I guess, left a big mark in the last 20 plus years.

 Legacies that will live, hopefully, for a very long time in the minds of people.