Novak Djokovic criticises Rafael Nadal’s retirement ceremony as he claims it ‘wasn’t done properly

Novak Djokovic has expressed regret over missing Rafael Nadal’s retirement ceremony during the Davis Cup Finals, describing the event as not being “done properly.”

Nadal concluded his illustrious career following Spain’s unexpected 2-1 loss to the Netherlands in the Davis Cup quarter-finals in November 2024. Djokovic and Andy Murray had planned to attend a more elaborate ceremony anticipated after the semi-finals, assuming Spain would advance. However, Spain’s earlier-than-expected exit led to a hastily arranged farewell.

Reflecting on the situation, Djokovic stated, “I feel bad that I wasn’t there… The ceremony, if you want my opinion, wasn’t done properly.” He speculated that Nadal might have preferred a subdued event to avoid disrupting the tournament but acknowledged uncertainty about the exact circumstances.

Nadal’s retirement marks the end of a significant era in tennis, with Djokovic now the sole active player among the sport’s “Big Four,” following the retirements of Roger Federer and Andy Murray. Djokovic has previously expressed that his rivalry with Nadal has been the most impactful of his career.