Casper Ruud has echoed Novak Djokovic’s plea for Rafael Nadal to keep playing tennis ahead of the legendary Spaniard’s retirement.The Norwegian admitted he was slightly surprised when Nadal announced his decision as he thought the former world No 1 might “give it one more try” on clay next year.

Nadal, who played his first professional match in 2001, will play the final event of his staggering career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, which will be staged from November 19-24. The 38-year-old was beaten by Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics in his last competitive singles match in July, while he also faced his Serbian rival at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh last month.

Following the pair’s meeting in Saudi Arabia, Djokovic lauded Nadal and urged him not to retire. “Congratulations for all the titles and amazing career to you and your team,” Djokovic said in an on-court speech. “I wish you all the best of luck for the future.

“I will finish with one big thank you, from not just me, but all of the tennis world for what you have done. You left an incredible legacy and we really appreciate it. “Don’t leave tennis man, stay a little bit longer, stay with us.”
Following his victory against Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals, Ruud revealed he will not attend Nadal’s farewell in Malaga and also discussed his idol’s popularity.

“I won’t go. I’ve played and seen enough tennis during the year, so I’ll watch it probably on TV, but hopefully on a beach, quiet, just relaxed (smiling),” the world No 7 said in his press conference. “I think it was inevitable obviously with Roger, him, Andy and Novak kind of being the last of those guys who will retire at some point.

“I kind of think Novak said it well during the Saudi tournament. Please don’t retire yet because you have so many fans around the world. “Even among the players, it’s kind of… one match that showed it quite clearly to me was during the Roland Garros this year, there were a lot of players that came out to watch Rafa-Zverev.

“Typically, you don’t have [Iga] Swiatek, Novak, Carlos [Alcaraz], everyone coming out to watch the first round of a Slam. But when it’s Rafa, it’s different.” The three-time Grand Slam finalist added: “Caught me a little bit by surprise that he announced it because I was maybe thinking he would give it one more try during the clay next year.