Rafael Nadal, one of the most dominant forces in tennis history, faced another defeat at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, losing to compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals. But this time, the legendary Spaniard had a humorous take on his recent struggles, joking that his dip in form might be linked to fatherhood. “Ever since becoming a father, things have changed,” Nadal quipped after the match.
Nadal Jr., born in October 2022, has yet to witness his father’s era of tennis dominance, and since his birth, Nadal has reached just one ATP final, at the Swedish Open earlier this year. Injuries have plagued the 38-year-old, and his once unshakable reign on the court has slowly faded. But Nadal hopes that one day, his son will grasp the magnitude of his achievements and legacy in the tennis world.
Up next for Nadal is a final showdown against Novak Djokovic at the Six Kings Slam, but this time, they’re not battling for a trophy. Instead, the two tennis titans will face off for third place—a far cry from their usual high-stakes encounters. This will be their 61st meeting, an ATP record, though Nadal hasn’t won a set against Djokovic on hard courts since the 2013 US Open final. With his lack of match fitness, Nadal enters this historic clash as the underdog, but their rivalry remains one of the most storied in the sport.
Will Nadal’s son eventually understand the greatness his father brought to the tennis court? Only time will tell, but for now, Nadal is content with a lighthearted joke and one last duel with his fiercest rival.
