Novak Djokovic led Rafael Nadal and others into a day of dancing and other activities, according to Holger Rune. Rune also competed at the Saudi Arabia Six Kings Slam, alongside Nadal, Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
With only six players in what was a small but unbelievably lucrative competition, the half-dozen stars naturally spent a lot of time with each other. The 21-year-old revealed some of the various activities they got up to during their brief time in the Middle East.
Djokovic, 37, is understood to have taken the lead in Riyadh, by taking the group for some rather interesting days of team bonding. Considering the 24-time Grand Slam winner has previously had his run-ins with Nadal, which have also led to him say that he cannot be friends with the Spaniard, his behaviour, behind the scenes with him suggests they have buried their hatchet.
In an interview with Puntodebreak.com, Rune offered an insight into what they got up to. The Dane said: “It was an… interesting experience (laughs). It was very fun; it was great to face each other in such a small event.
I only played one match against Carlos, but being able to train with the guys all week and spend time with them off the court… I already know them, but it made us a bit closer. We had many activities together. It was very fun indeed.
“Many of the activities we did were Novak’s fault (smiles), many were his ideas; he wanted us to dance; it was great. Novak always manages to bring us fun things; we all had a great time together.”
Djokovic made it clear in a recent interview that he does not expect to form a friendship with the Spaniard, even if he was dancing and having fun with him in the Middle East. While speaking to Corriere Della Sera, he said: “Nadal is only a year older than me, we are both Geminis, at first we even went to dinner together, twice. But even with him, friendship is impossible.
“I have always respected and greatly admired him. Thanks to him and Federer, I grew up and became who I am. This will unite us forever; therefore I feel gratitude towards them. Nadal is a part of my life, in the last fifteen years I’ve seen more of him than my mum!”
While he does not think they will be the best of friends, Djokovic recently described Nadal as his most challenging adversary. He said: “He has been the greatest rival that I ever had.
“Matches against him on clay have frustrated me so much in my career, but they also made me a better player, made me understand what it takes to try to surpass him; try to win at least once or twice at Roland-Garros.”
Nadal recently announced he will be retiring from tennis after the Davis Cup finals. It will bring down the curtain on a career that has seen him win 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 French Open titles.
