The match ended. Djokovic won third place at the Six Kings Slam after defeating Nadal 6-2, 7-6(5) in 2 sets. This is also the last match of the players in the Big Three.
Set 2: Djokovic 7-6 Nadal (tie-break: 7-5)
It was not until the 9th point of the tie-break that the first mini-break occurred. In the decisive stage, Djokovic took advantage to end the match.
Set 2: Djokovic 6-6 Nadal
Another white game for Nole. The two players will enter the tie-break.
Set 2: Djokovic 5-6 Nadal
The game with Nadal's excellent moves.
Set 2: Djokovic 5-5 Nadal
Djokovic had a chance to end the match with a match-point, but Nadal had 2 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 very important game when he did not serve well. Djokovic was in front of the match's deciding game.
Set 2: Djokovic 4-4 Nadal
3 consecutive games, the first serve efficiency of both players is 70%
Set 2: Djokovic 3-4 Nadal
Like his opponent, Nadal saved 2 breaks to keep the 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 successfully.
Set 2: Djokovic 2-3 Nadal
Despite losing points first, Nadal then scored four points in a row to win 40-15.
Set 2: Djokovic 2-2 Nadal
40-0, the game ended quickly for the Serbian tennis player.
Set 2: Djokovic 1-2 Nadal
Despite a regrettable volley out, 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 great cross.
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 took advantage of his serve game to end the first set with a score of 6-2.
Set 1: Djokovic 5-2 Nadal
Nadal presented the ball but let the opponent lead 40-0. Rafa only saved 1 point, the second break for the Serbian tennis player.
Set 1: Djokovic 4-2 Nadal
No white game for Djokovic despite leading 40-0. But in the end he still won this game.
Set 1: Djokovic 3-2 Nadal
Nadal made two double errors in this serve. But with a good drop shot, the Spaniard still kept the game.
Set 1: Djokovic 3-1 Nadal
The first white win for the Serbian tennis player.
Set 1: Djokovic 2-1 Nadal
Rafa passed the ball better, including 1 point ace. The score was shortened.
Set 1: Djokovic 2-0 Nadal
Djokovic also did not serve well, with 1 double foul, but Nadal returned many errors. Nole kept the game.
Set 1: Djokovic 1-0 Nadal
Break comes early for Djokovic. Nadal started with bad serves.
23:41: The match begins. Nadal delivers the ball.
22:30: Djokovic has arrived at The Venue in Riyadh.
Last night Djokovic was at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh to watch the match between Al Hilal and Al Fayha in the Saudi Pro League.
Hopefully he doesn't feel tired!
9:50 p.m.: Novak Djokovic has rejected offers that he could follow in the footsteps of Rafael Nadal.
The 37-year-old said: "I still feel good about this process and it gives me all the benefits, so why not do it?
Some people think I should retire when I'm at my peak. Some people say I should continue as long as I still think I can be a strong candidate for a Grand Slam. I think more like them.
I still have motivation. Therefore, 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 11:30 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m. as originally planned.
Pre-match information
At the end of the road, with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on the pitch and on the two sides of the net, the result seems to no longer have any meaning. That is a change after nearly 3 months since the last clash.
That 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 for men's tennis 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 just said that, in case he is not physically guaranteed, he will not play in the Davis Cup.
For Djokovic, when he was satisfied with the Olympic gold medal, the feeling of giving up gradually appeared. He knows that competing for the title with the top young players today is almost impossible - even though he can still beat many other players on the journey.
And now, as the two are at the end of the road, the third-place match at the Six Kings Slam is the final reward for the two of the great tennis players, the final gift for fans at an event.
