Rafael Nadal received a shiny gold racket at the Six Kings Slam event in Saudi Arabia, and its value has been revealed. Last week, Nadal joined other top players like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune at this grand exhibition. Each player was guaranteed a whopping $1.5 million just for showing up.
Even though he lost to both Alcaraz and Djokovic without winning a set, Nadal played well considering his recent physical struggles. This performance hints that he might still compete in singles during his last Davis Cup Finals appearance next month.
The match with Djokovic marked the end of their epic rivalry. They have shared some of the most memorable matches in tennis history, like the 2012 Australian Open final that lasted five hours and 53 minutes! Fans might feel nostalgic about this legendary rivalry ending.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Nadal | 38 | 215 | 7 - 5 |
End of an Era
Djokovic seemed genuinely sad after playing against someone he called his greatest rival for the last time. He paid a heartfelt tribute to Nadal, describing him as an incredible person and an outstanding ambassador for tennis.
While Nadal sees Roger Federer as his biggest rival rather than Djokovic, he still holds great respect for Djokovic’s achievements. He thanked him sincerely and acknowledged that competing with him made him a better player.
All six players had positive things to say about Saudi Arabia during their visit—perhaps not surprising given their hefty paychecks—but Nadal’s connection to the country is particularly strong.
Nadal’s Ties with Saudi Arabia
Earlier this year in January, Nadal became an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s Tennis Federation—a decision that sparked controversy due to the country’s human rights record. Despite criticism about “sportswashing,” Nadal believes engaging with the nation can help bring change.
After his match against Djokovic, Turki Al Sheikh from Saudi Arabia presented Nadal with a fully gold-plated racket as a token of his legacy in tennis history. Weighing three kilos and valued around €250,000 according to Marca—it’s quite an extravagant gift!
This gesture could encourage further collaboration between Nadal and Saudi Arabia; there are even plans for him to open a tennis academy there someday.
For now though—before any academies or future ventures—Nadal focuses on preparing himself for one last shot at glory during next month’s Davis Cup finals since he chose not to participate in Paris Masters anymore signaling Six Kings Slam was likely among final appearances before retirement approaches… What do you think about all these developments?
