By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday October 10, 2024
They had been heated rivals. A lot so, that they hardly ever 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 really epic.
In the present day, when Rafael Nadal introduced the tip of his profession, Djokovic responded with a heartfelt put up on Twitter, thanking the 38-year-old for uplifting thousands and thousands – together with himself.
“Rafa, one put up just isn’t sufficient to precise the respect I’ve for you and what you’ve got finished for our sport,” Djokovic wrote. “You may have impressed thousands and thousands of youngsters to start out enjoying tennis and I believe that’s most likely the best achievement anybody can want for. Your tenacity, dedication, preventing spirit goes to be taught for many years. Your legacy will dwell ceaselessly. Solely you recognize what you needed to endure to change into an icon of tennis and sport typically.
“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 put up just isn’t sufficient to precise the respect I’ve for you and what you’ve got finished for our sport. You may have impressed thousands and thousands of youngsters to start out enjoying tennis and I believe that’s most likely 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 nicely.
“Your ardour for representing Spain has at all times been outstanding. I want you absolute best farewell in Malaga with Davis Cup staff of Spain. I will likely be there in particular person to pay respect to your stellar profession.”
