After attracting all the big stars in this exhibition with millions of showers, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) dressing up today to show the world the most amazing generational double duel in world tennis. Six Kings Slam.
The kings Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic They face each other for the last time to close a legendary rivalry (6:30 pm/Movistar+, DAZN and live on the MD website) and, later, the princes Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinnerthe main heir to the throne, will compete in the final, certainly playing for the highest prize paid in their sport for a victory, 5.5 million euros. The six invited to the tournament –Daniel Medvedev and Holger Rune fell in the quarterfinals – they have a fixed amount of 1.38 million euros.
Nadal, 38, announced a few days ago his retirement after the Final 8 of the Malaga Davis Cup (November 19-24), news that gave special emphasis to the Saudi exhibition for the opportunity to play for the last time both against his Spanish heir – Alcaraz won the semi-finals by a double 6-3 – and against Djokovic, the last survivor of ‘Big Three’ which marked a perhaps never-to-be-repeated era in tennis: the Serbian would end the record of Grand Slams (24 so far) after an unforgettable and long epic battle with Nadal (22) and Roger Federer (20).
The Serbian and the Spaniard will battle for third place in the Six Kings Slam in a game that has been officially played 60 times, with a slight advantage in favor of ‘No’ (31-29). Now they will cross rackets for the last time as Serbia did not qualify for the Davis Cup finals and, therefore, Djokovic will not be able to face Nadal in his last professional dance before his retirement.
“We have faced each other many times and it will be good to play against each other for the last time,” said Nadal, who is taking advantage of this tournament to prepare himself for the onslaught of ‘salad bowl’which would be the sixth on his record if Spain win in Malaga. “From a mental point of view I’m sure I’m ready. Physically and from a tennis point of view, there is one month left to prepare,” commented Rafa, who was at the disposal of the captain. David Ferrerfor whatever you deem appropriate.
Nadal reappeared on Thursday against Alcaraz after two months of not competing, since Games in Pariswhere he fell in the 2nd round (6-1, 6-4) exactly against Djokovic, who eventually took the Olympic gold to pass the only pending subject he has on his record.
After Nadal-Djokovic it will be the turn of Alcaraz-Sinnerthe two greatest exponents of the present and future of world tennis. The two have shared four Grand Slam titles this year and their rivalry is also exciting: the Murcian has dominated the Italian in their previous matches (6-4) after winning their last three direct matches.
Source: La Verdad
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