Novak Djokovic was in attendance for Rafael Nadal's match against Alexander Zverev at the 2024 Roland Garros, and the Spaniard said he would watch his rival's possibly last match, too.
The Serbian was just one of many tennis players in attendance for that match, as Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek were also there. It was an interesting moment that garnered a lot of attention for obvious reasons.
Nadal was asked about the players attending his match, especially Djokovic, and he admitted that he didn't notice them while he was playing. He's not surprised because he'd probably do the same and watch Djokovic's final match at the Australian Open or Wimbledon.
"I mean, I didn't see them, but I think in some way it's normal, no? I think if that's the last time that I’m gonna be playing here and if I know that Novak is the last time playing in Wimbledon or in Australia and I was there or..."
Nadal has a great rivalry with the Serbian, although not quite on the level of his rivalry with Roger Federer. He also spoke about the young players like Alcaraz, noting that they grew up watching him, so logically, they want to see what could happen in his potentially last match.
"I mean, these kind of rivals or young players that are here like Carlos that probably they watch me on TV the most of his years that they are living (smiling), it's normal that in some way they are interested to see how this is going to be, and especially in this particular place with all the history that I had behind, no?"
Ultimately, Nadal was honored to have so many people interested because it honors the legacy he created at the French Open, something he warmed up to as he was nearing retirement. He used to be dismissive of it but recently embraced it.
"But yeah, I mean, happy that that happens, you know, because that means that I had a positive legacy here and positive legacy for my career, no? And that's it."
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