Novak Djokovic ‘overwhelmed’ by loss of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic has sent a classy connection to Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray and says a ‘part of maine near with them’ amid their retirements.

Nadal, 38, will bent up his racket after the upcoming Davis Cup Finals successful Malaga, with his past lucifer perchance connected November 19 if the Netherlands decision Spain.

With Federer and Murray having already called clip on their careers, it leaves Djokovic arsenic the lone subordinate near from the Big Four epoch of nonrecreational men’s tennis.

‘I posted… You saw it connected Instagram,’ Djokovic said connected Friday. ‘I meant each word. [Nadal has] been my top rival. The rivalry I had with him has impacted maine the astir successful my vocation by far.

‘We knew that the infinitesimal was coming sooner than later. But it’s inactive a shock. When it came officially, besides for Roger a fewer years agone erstwhile helium announced retirement… Andy arsenic good this year… it’s a spot overwhelming for maine to beryllium honest.

‘I don’t cognize what to marque of it. I inactive bask competing. But portion of maine near with them.. a large portion of me. It’s pugnacious quality for the tennis satellite and sports world. Rafa has been an inspiration for tons of children astir the world.’

Tributes person been flooding in for 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal, including from 20-time large victor Federer and legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Djokovic, 37, enjoyed a blockbuster rivalry with Nadal and yet moved past him for the astir Grand Slam singles titles successful the full past of men’s tennis.

The Serbian posted connected X: ‘Rafa, 1 station is not capable to explicit the respect I person for you and what you person done for our sport.

‘You person inspired millions of children to commencement playing tennis and I deliberation that’s astir apt top accomplishment anyone tin privation for.

‘Your tenacity, dedication, warring tone is going to beryllium taught for decades. Your bequest volition unrecorded forever.

‘Only you cognize what you had to endure to go icon of tennis and athletics successful general.

‘Thank you for pushing maine to the precise bounds truthful galore times successful our rivalry that has impacted maine the astir arsenic a player.

‘Your passionateness for representing Spain has ever been remarkable. I privation you champion imaginable farewell successful Malaga with Davis Cup squad of Spain. I volition beryllium determination successful idiosyncratic to wage respect to your stellar career.’

Nadal has experienced respective important losses to Djokovic passim his career.

The 2012 Australian Open last was peculiarly heartbreaking for Nadal, who suffered decision aft astir six hours connected the court, successful what became 1 of the longest finals successful Grand Slam history.

That volition undoubtedly beryllium among Nadal’s astir achy vocation losses arsenic good arsenic his defeat to Djokovic astatine the Olympic Games successful Paris earlier this twelvemonth astatine his favourite location, Roland-Garros.

Nadal had been hoping to clinch a medal successful 1 his last-ever nonrecreational events but 24-time large champion Djokovic bushed him 6-1 6-4 – moving 31-29 up successful their wide head-to-head – earlier going connected to clinch singles golden himself.

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