Djokovic to Nadal: "I was very honoured and very happy to have been your rival".

Although he had originally planned to travel to Malaga in person to witness Rafael Nadal's last dance, Novak Djokovic was taken by surprise, as were many of his followers, by Spain's elimination from the quarter-finals of the competition.

Fortunately, the Serb was present in the farewell video broadcast on Tuesday evening, and even featured prominently. And, of course, he paid him a fitting tribute: "Your tenacity, your fighting spirit, the energy you brought, your power, these are things that will be studied and passed on to many generations to come.

I was very honoured and very happy to have been your rival. The world of tennis and sport will miss the incredible energy you brought to the court. There is much to celebrate. Thank you very much and good luck, my friend."