The match is over. Djokovic won the third place at the Six Kings Slam after defeating Nadal 6-2, 7-6(5) in 2 sets. This was also the last match of the players in the Big Three group.
Set 2: Djokovic 7-6 Nadal (tie-break: 7-5)
It wasn't until the ninth point of the tie-break that the first mini-break occurred. In the decisive phase, Djokovic took advantage to end the match.
Set 2: Djokovic 6-6 Nadal
Another white game for Nole. The two players will enter a tie-break series.
Set 2: Djokovic 5-6 Nadal
Game with excellent shots from Nadal.
Set 2: Djokovic 5-5 Nadal
Djokovic had a chance to end the match with a match-point, however, Nadal had two excellent shots to turn the situation around, break the game and equalize the score.
Set 2: Djokovic 5-4 Nadal
Nadal lost the break in a crucial game when he served poorly. Djokovic was on the verge of the decisive game.
Set 2: Djokovic 4-4 Nadal
3 consecutive games, both players' first serve efficiency is 70%
Set 2: Djokovic 3-4 Nadal
Like his opponent, Nadal saved 2 breaks to maintain his advantage in set 2.
Set 2: Djokovic 3-3 Nadal
Nadal had 3 chances to break the game but could not take advantage of them.
Set 2: Djokovic 2-3 Nadal
Lost the first point but Nadal then scored 4 points in a row to win 40-15.
Set 2: Djokovic 2-2 Nadal
40-0, the game ended quickly for the Serbian player.
Set 2: Djokovic 1-2 Nadal
Despite an unfortunate volley wide, Nadal still finished his serve game. For the first time in the match, the 38-year-old tennis player took the lead.
Set 2: Djokovic 1-1 Nadal
Nadal reclaimed the break with a superb cross-court shot.
Set 2: Djokovic 1-0 Nadal
Nadal continued to lose the break in the first game like in set 1.
Set 1: Djokovic 6-2 Nadal
Djokovic made good use of his serve game to end set 1 with a score of 6-2.
Set 1: Djokovic 5-2 Nadal
Nadal served but let his opponent lead 40-0. Rafa could only save 1 point, giving the Serbian player a second break.
Set 1: Djokovic 4-2 Nadal
No white game for Djokovic despite leading 40-0. But he still won the game in the end.
Set 1: Djokovic 3-2 Nadal
Nadal double faulted twice in this service game. But with a good drop shot, the Spaniard held the game.
Set 1: Djokovic 3-1 Nadal
The first straight game win for the Serbian player.
Set 1: Djokovic 2-1 Nadal
Rafa serves better, including an ace. The score is shortened.
Set 1: Djokovic 2-0 Nadal
Djokovic also served poorly, with a double fault, but Nadal returned many errors. Nole kept the game.
Set 1: Djokovic 1-0 Nadal
Break comes early for Djokovic. Nadal starts with poor serves.
23:41: The match begins. Nadal serves.
22:30: Djokovic has arrived at The Venue in Riyadh.
Last night Djokovic was at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh to watch the match between Al Hilal and Al Fayha in the Saudi Pro League.
Hope you don't feel tired!
21:50: Novak Djokovic has dismissed suggestions he could follow Rafael Nadal into retirement.
The 37-year-old said: "I still feel good with this progression and it gives me all the benefits, so why not do it?
Some people think I should retire at the top. Some people say I should continue as long as I still think I can be a contender for a Grand Slam. I think more like them.
I still have motivation. So I feel sorry for those who want me to retire, because they will have to watch me for a while longer."
The match was announced to take place at 23:30 instead of 21:30 as originally planned.
Pre-match information
At the end of the road, when Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are on the same court and at the same net, the result no longer seems to matter. That has changed nearly three months since their last clash.
It was in July, when Nole and Rafa met in the second round of tennis at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Djokovic won, and then went straight to the gold medal - his biggest dream after completing the Grand Slam collection and setting a record among men's tennis players with 24 titles.
Nadal has made efforts to recover his fitness but his body does not allow it. And has announced that he will retire after competing in the Davis Cup with the Spanish team.
But even that is not certain, as he has also recently said that, in the event of not being physically fit, he will not play in the Davis Cup.
For Djokovic, once he was satisfied with the Olympic gold medal, the feeling of letting go gradually appeared. He knew that competing for the title with the top young players today was almost impossible - although he could still beat many other players along the way.
And now, with both at the end of their rope, the third-place match at the Six Kings Slam is like the final reward for two of the greats, the final gift for fans in an exhibition event.
