Rafael Nadal took to the court for what are likely the final singles matches of his illustrious career during the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia last week. The legendary Spaniard faced off against a stellar lineup, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune, at this prestigious exhibition event in Riyadh.
All six competitors were guaranteed a hefty $1.5 million, but it was Sinner who walked away with an impressive $6 million prize for clinching the title. Nadal’s journey in the tournament saw him fall to Alcaraz in the semi-finals and subsequently lose to Djokovic in the third-place playoff.
In a fitting tribute after his final encounter with Djokovic, Nadal received a stunning full-size tennis racket crafted entirely from solid gold. According to Marca, this luxurious piece is valued at approximately £208,000 (around €250,000 or $269,555) and weighs a remarkable three kilograms.
Earlier this year, Nadal was named an ambassador for the Saudi Arabian tennis federation, further enhancing his legacy in the sport. Looking ahead, he has announced plans to retire from professional tennis after the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, scheduled for November 19-24 in Malaga.
At 38, Nadal is expected to participate in doubles for Spain, although he has indicated that his appearance hinges on his physical readiness. “Will I be ready for the Davis Cup? Emotionally, yes, that’s for sure; physically and tennis-wise, I still have a month ahead of me,” he said during a press conference in Saudi Arabia.
“I will prepare and aim to be in shape to support the team. If I feel ready and the captain agrees, it will be his call. But if I’m not up to it, I’ll be the first to step back and figure out how to contribute in another way. I need to feel competitive before I hit the court. Winning or losing is part of the game, but if I’m not 100% ready, I won’t compete.”
After his match against Djokovic, Nadal reflected on what he will miss most about the sport. “I’m going to miss almost everything,” he shared. “Playing for nearly 20 years has been a dream come true. Competing in the best venues worldwide is something I watched as a child on TV.”
He continued, “Ultimately, I realized my dream of becoming a professional tennis player and achieving success. I can’t thank everyone enough for the support and love I’ve received globally. The energy during every tournament has been phenomenal, from my team and family to the entire tennis community.”
Nadal expressed gratitude for his career, saying, “It’s been a huge pleasure to be part of this sport. I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced such an amazing tour with so many wonderful people involved. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey.”