By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday October 10, 2024
They had been heated rivals. A lot so, that they not often had time for friendship. Such was the sway of the Nadal – Djokovic rivalry, which spanned three many years, and 60 conferences, so lots of them actually epic.
In the present day, when Rafael Nadal introduced the top of his profession, Djokovic responded with a heartfelt submit on Twitter, thanking the 38-year-old for uplifting thousands and thousands – together with himself.
“Rafa, one submit isn’t sufficient to specific the respect I’ve for you and what you’ve got executed for our sport,” Djokovic wrote. “You’ve gotten impressed thousands and thousands of youngsters to begin taking part in tennis and I feel that’s in all probability the best achievement anybody can want for. Your tenacity, dedication, preventing spirit goes to be taught for many years. Your legacy will dwell eternally. Solely you recognize what you needed to endure to develop into an icon of tennis and sport usually.
“Thanks for pushing me to the very restrict so many occasions in our rivalry that has impacted me probably the most as a participant.”
Rafa, one submit isn’t sufficient to specific the respect I’ve for you and what you’ve got executed for our sport. You’ve gotten impressed thousands and thousands of youngsters to begin taking part in tennis and I feel that’s in all probability best achievement anybody can want for. Your tenacity, dedication, preventing spirit… pic.twitter.com/HO9kUkyccN
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) October 10, 2024
Djokovic who gained 31 of the sixty matchups, however was misplaced 11 of 18 on the majors, defeated Nadal en path to his gold medal on the Paris Olympics this yr. It was the pair’s final assembly. Djokovic counseled Nadal for his patriotism as effectively.
“Your ardour for representing Spain has all the time been exceptional. I want you absolute best farewell in Malaga with Davis Cup workforce of Spain. I might be there in individual to pay respect to your stellar profession.”