Novak Djokovic has revealed he ‘feels bad’ for missing Rafael Nadal’s tennis retirement ceremony at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
Djokovic issued a statement on social media ahead of the special event that he would ‘be there in person to pay respect to Nadal’s stellar career’.
But the Serbian 24-time major champion was not present to wave goodbye to Nadal – who hung up his racket after Spain’s defeat to the Netherlands – because he thought the Spanish team was going to progress further.
Andy Murray, who is currently working as part of Djokovic’s coaching team for the Australian Open, also missed the underwhelming retirement ceremony, which was criticised by Nadal’s own coach as well as his uncle.
‘I don’t know the exact details as to how they envisioned the ceremony, but I know that the plan was to do it after the semis, if Spain were to go through,’ Djokovic explained ahead of his match against Jaime Faria.
‘(Andy) Murray and I planned to be there, we couldn’t fit the quarter-finals in our schedule, but we were a sure thing for the semis.
‘Unfortunately, it turned out the way it did, what are you gonna do? More than that, I don’t really know.
‘I saw the video (of the ceremony). I don’t know, I don’t know if Rafa maybe didn’t want to make too much of a fuss about it in order not to bother other teams, matches… I don’t know, to be honest, but I feel bad that I wasn’t there.’
Djokovic is at least grateful he got to enjoy two last matches against Nadal in 2024, defeating his old rival at a lucrative exhibition event in Saudi Arabia after their tense showdown at the Olympic Games in Paris.
‘We were together on the court in Riyadh, that was the moment, a nice moment,’ Djokovic added.
‘I saw him play at Roland-Garros, we played each other at the Olympics… The ceremony, if you want my opinion, wasn’t done properly.
‘Maybe Rafa himself wasn’t sure whether he’ll play or not, if he can play some more, and then maybe it was too late to do something bigger. I don’t know, really, maybe.’
Djokovic is currently in action at the Australian Open, looking to clinch a historic 25th Grand Slam singles title to move clear of Margaret Court’s all-time record.
The 37-year-old is the last Big Four tennis player left standing after the retirements of Nadal, Murray and Roger Federer.