Wanna Play? Novak Djokovic's shoutout to long-time rival Rafael Nadal becomes talking point at Australian Open 2026
The Serbian went down in four sets to Carlos Alcaraz.
In a heartwarming moment amid the intensity of the Australian Open 2026 menâs singles final, Novak Djokovic paused his battle against Carlos Alcaraz to share a light-hearted exchange with his longtime rival Rafael Nadal.
The Serbian star, chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, faced the young Spaniard Alcaraz in a high-stakes showdown at Rod Laver Arena on February 1. Djokovic, known for his laser focus, briefly broke character early in the fourth set.
Nadal was seated courtside and had received a heroâs welcome earlier after participating in the Night of Champions event. When Novak Djokovic spotted him while returning to the baseline, he looked up with a grin.
In a playful quip captured on broadcast, Djokovic gestured toward his racquet and called out, âYou want to play, Rafa?â, a cheeky nod to their epic 60-match rivalry which is the most frequent in Open Era history (Djokovic leads 31-29).
Also Read: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal head-to-head record
Nadal, the 22-time major winner and two-time Australian Open champion, burst into laughter, his smile lighting up the stands as he waved off the invitation.
This light-hearted moment offered a rare touch of levity in an otherwise tense contest, one that saw Carlos Alcaraz recover from a set down to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 and complete his career Grand Slam at just 22.
Despite the defeat, Djokovic remained gracious throughout, including during the post-match presentation, where he once again acknowledged Rafael Nadal in the crowd, joking that it felt strange watching him from the stands and suggesting he return to the court.
âI wanna speak to the legendary Rafa whoâs in the stands. It feels very weird to see you there and not here. I just wanna say itâs an honor to share the court with you and to have you watching the finals hereâŚitâs the first time for me. Obviously a bit of a strange feeling but thank you for being present.
Too many Spanish legends. It felt like it was 2 against 1 tonight. It wasnât fair but okayâ, he joked.
The moment highlighted tennisâs generational bridgeâfrom the Big Three era to the rising stars, leaving spectators cherishing the blend of rivalry, humor, and sportsmanship on Melbourneâs grand stage.
What was the Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal moment at Australian Open 2026?
The light moment between Djokovic and Nadal during the menâs singles final at Australian Open 2026. Nadal, who was invited as an esteemed guest, was seated courtside. When Djokovic spotted him while returning to the baseline, he looked up with a grin. and in a playful quip gestured towards his racquet and asked âYou want to play, Rafa?â
What did Novak Djokovic say about Rafael Nadal during the post-match presentation?
Djokovic again acknowledged Nadal in the crowd and joked that it felt strange watching him from the stands and suggested that the Spanish legend should return to court.
What is special about the Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal rivalry?
It was one of the most frequently played rivalry with Nadal and Djokovic clashing 60 times on tour, the most matches between two players in Open Era history.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovicâs resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.