Rafael Nadal played 169 minutes at the Six Kings Slam while Novak Djokovic played 238 minutes to earn $1.5 million each, which is the minimum prize money at the exhibition event in Riyadh. While Nadal bowed out to Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals, Djokovic was eliminated by Jannik Sinner in three-sets, 6-2, 6-7(0), 6-4.

Six high-profile names entered the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, where veterans Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic received a direct entry into the semfinals. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune, Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz began their campaigns in the knockout rounds with the winner earning a place in the last four.

World No. 1 Sinner started procedings with an easy win against Medvedev while Alcaraz outfoxed Rune in his opener. The Italian set up a clash against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and Alcaraz locked horns with fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

In a round exemplifying youth vs experience, both youngsters came out on top. Sinner edged past Djokovic in an absorbing three-set bout while Alcaraz defeated Nadal in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. The Italian defeated Djokovic for the second time in the last 10 days, having previously outclassed the Serb in the finals of the Shanghai Masters.

Alcaraz also chalked up back-to-back wins against Nadal. He defeated the 38-year-old in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open in 2022 and recently edged past the veteran in Riyadh. The 21-year-old won 86% of his first serve points and fired 15 winners to eliminate Nadal in straight sets on Friday.

During the final day in Riyadh, Nadal faced Djokovic in the third place match and Alcaraz took on Sinner in the title-decider. The Serb cruised past Nadal in straight sets and Sinner brushed aside Alcaraz to lift the title. The Italian cashed in a hefty prize cheque worth $6 Million and clinched the inaugural the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh.

“I’ll cherish our rivalry forever”- Novak Djokovic reflects on one of his final matches against Rafael Nadal in Saudi Arabia

Rafael Nadal is poised to retire from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in November. The Spaniard recently took on his arch rival Novak Djokovic in the third place match of the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh.

Both players have had a history of fighting for important titles on tour in the past two decades. While Djokovic has won 24 Major titles in his career, Nadal has clinched 22 Grand Slam titles so far. The two all-time greats have faced each other 60 times on the main tour. The Serb leads the head-to-head against Nadal 31-29 and defeated him most recently at the Paris Olympics this year.

Following their exhibition match in the Six Kings Slam, Djokovic shared a special note for Nadal via his X account and felt emotional for what was probably final match on tour.

“The last dance was an epic one. And of course emotional. I’ll cherish our rivalry forever, @rafaelnadal 👑. Tennis will miss you. As-salamu alaykum, Riyadh. #SixKingsSlam is a special tournament. See you soon 🙏🏼” the Serb wrote.

Nadal reciprocated Djokovic’s sentiments, reflecting on their special rivalry. He expressed gratitude for Djokovic’s constant challenge, which helped him elevate his own game.

“Thank you very much for all of the moments we shared on court during all of our careers – we have had an amazing rivalry, You helped me to go over my limits so thank you for that, because without that, I would probably not be the player that I am today,” Nadal wrote.