"Extraordinarily gracious at a moment so bitter for him"- When Rafael Nadal praised Novak Djokovic after their US Open 2010 final
One of the greatest players of all time, Rafael Nadal became the first player since Andre Agassi to complete the Career Golden Slam when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2010 US Open final.
Given Nadal's current tally of four US Open championship wins, it is hard to imagine a time when the Spaniard was still in search of that title that evaded him at every turn. Prior to his win in 2010, Nadal had never gotten past the semifinals at the event.
In 2010, Rafael Nadal was a different beast as he stormed to the finals without dropping a single set. The Spaniard took the first set 6-4, only for Djokovic to equalize the tally in the second set. Nadal then shifted gears and denied the Serb any further break points as he closed out the match 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. With his victory, Nadal also became the first man to complete a Surface Slam.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion recalled how magnanimous Novak Djokovic had been, even in a bitter moment of defeat. Djokovic or "Nole", as the Spaniard referred to him affectionately, went over to Nadal's side of the court and congratulated him on his historic achievement.
“Novak Djokovic—or “Nole,” as I call him, as do his fans, friends, and family—is all of these things already. Extraordinarily gracious at a moment so bitter for him, he didn’t wait for me at the net but came over to my side of the court and embraced me, congratulated me on what I had done," the Spaniard wrote in 'Rafa: My Story.'
The 36-year-old reminisced about the immensity of emotion he felt in the moment. When he heard the deafening cheers from the crowd, the Spaniard sunk to his knees and let all the pent-up feelings pour out, overcome by the gratitude he felt for the fruits of his great labor.
"I went to my chair, dropped off my racket, and came back to the center of the ring with my fists in the air. The noise of the crowd poured down on me, and I sank to my knees, sobbed again, bowed my forehead onto the hard surface of the court, and held it there. So, so much had gone into this and I had so, so much to be grateful for," Nadal continued.
The 14-time French Open champion was all praise for the manner in which Djokovic conducted himself, calling the Serb "a credit to our sport." The Spaniard acknowledged what a great example Djokovic was setting for all the impressionable children who looked up to him. He contended that Djokovic would no doubt lift the US Open trophy himself, something the Serb accomplished the very next year.
"In the presentation ceremony Nole was the first to speak, and once again, he behaved with great class, showering praise on me and thanking absent friends. He showed himself to be the most dignified of losers and a credit to our sport. When my turn came to address the microphone, I thanked all the members of my family and my team gathered there before me," the former World No. 1 added.
"I also made a point of acknowledging Nole’s attitude in defeat, and what a great example he set to kids everywhere. I said I was sure he’d be winning this trophy very soon, as I am sure he will continue to be a fearsome rival in the years to come. But this was my moment," he wrote.
He also said that he was sure Djokovic would become a feasome rival for him in the years to come -- words which have shown themselves to be prophetic, given how the pair are currently neck and neck in the Grand Slam record tally.
Rafael Nadal's outfit for the 2023 French Open revealed
Coming to the present day, Rafael Nadal's outfit for the 2023 Roland Garros Championship has been revealed. The Spaniard, who wore lemon yellow in 2022, will be seen in blue this year as he returns to Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Rafa’s Roland Garros 2023 outfit
📸 rafanadal9_seven IG https://t.co/VjKNFUgQ75
The 14-time French Open Champion will be on the hunt for his record extending 15th title at the Major. In 2022, he defeated Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in the final to win his second Grand Slam of the year.