Rafael Nadal reflected on an “amazing rivalry” with Novak Djokovic and said he “would not be the player he is today” after losing their final meeting as professionals.

Nadal, 38, announced earlier this month that he will retire from tennis at the end of the season.

Serbia’s Djokovic beat the Spaniard 6-2 7-6 (7-5) in their third-place match at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia.

The pair shared a warm embrace at the net at the end, while Nadal was presented with a golden tennis racquet as part of a post-match presentation in Riyadh.

“Thank you very much for all of the moments we shared on court during all of our careers – we have had an amazing rivalry,” said Nadal in an interview conducted on court.

“You helped me to go over my limits so thank you for that, because without that, I would probably not be the player that I am today.”

Nadal will represent Spain in his final appearance at next month’s Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.

“What I will miss is almost everything,” added Nadal, who won a record 14 French Open titles and 22 Grand Slams in total.

“It has been a dream come true to have been able to play for almost 20 years, being competitive and having the chance to play at the best places in the world.

“I realised my dream to become a professional tennis player and be a successful one. I can’t thank people enough for the support and the love I’ve received all around.”

Paul Hughes’ striking proved to be too much for A.J. McKee.

Hughes (13-1) dropped McKee (22-2) early and fended off his grappling en route to a split decision win (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). The lightweight bout was the main card opener at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In Round 1, McKee backed Hughes to a corner with a flurry. Hughes broke free and almost landed a flying knee. McKee grabbed a hold of him and worked for a takedown. Hughes broke free again and threw another big knee. It was clear what McKee’s game plan was as he attempted another takedown. Hughes reversed and wound up in top position. McKee worked for a leg lock. As he got up, Hughes landed a big knee, followed by a big overhand right which dropped McKee.

The pace slowed down in Rounds 2 and 3 as McKee pressed Hughes against the cage. Hughes broke free and threw a flurry. An accidental low blow by McKee caused a break in the action. Hughes attempted a big knee and slipped, allowing McKee to capitalize by grabbing a hold of him and keeping him down. Hughes spent the rest of the fight trying to fend off McKee’s grappling, but he outstruck him throughout and caused more damage for the win.

With the win, Hughes made it seven straight and proceeded to call out Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov.

BIG WIN FOR BIG NEWS! He CALLS OUT USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV!

[ #PFLSuperFights | #BraceForImpact | BUY NOW | https://t.co/kWyJTEGRvW | https://t.co/2BtPH3wso4 ] pic.twitter.com/eALho7knnJ

— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 19, 2024

Up-to-the-minute results of PFL: Battle of the Giants include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.

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OLYMPICS legend Sir Chris Hoy has revealed doctors have given him just four years to live in a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Earlier this year six-time Olympian Sir Chris, 48, said he was being “treated for cancer”.

1

Writing on Instagram at the time, he said treatment was “thankfully going really well – I’m optimistic, positive”.

The star went to the doctor in September last year after feeling a strain in his shoulder.

A tumour was found in his shoulder – before a second scan found the primary cancer in his prostate.

The prostate cancer had metastasised to Sir Chris’s bones – including his shoulder, pelvis, ribs, spine and ribs.

He has revealed today that he has terminal cancer and has been given two to four years to live.

Brave Sir Chris told the Sunday Times: “As unnatural as it feels, this is nature.

“You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process.

“You remind yourself, aren’t I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible.”

Team GB cycling legend Sir Chris has two children, aged seven and 10.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

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Paul Hughes officially graduated from prospect to contender with his performance at PFL: Battle of the Giants on Saturday.

In just his second fight under the PFL banner, Hughes scored a brutal knockdown in the first round over A.J. McKee before ultimately winning a split decision. While there’s something to be said about the scoring in the fight with Hughes largely controlling the action across all three rounds, he still gets the win in the biggest moment of his young career so far.

“Look what I can do! I’m a superstar,” Hughes shouted at the camera after his win. “The PFL believed in me, look at me. I’m here on the world stage. I fought one of the best guys on the planet. I doubled down on myself. Who’s done that to AJ McKee? I’ll tell you what, that was not one of my best performances.”

Hughes showed no fear facing down one of the top lightweights in Bellator as he made a statement from the very start when he was able to shrug off takedown attempts from McKee to keep the fight standing. Hughes also unloaded a huge knee trying to catch McKee as he dropped down to grab a leg but the former Bellator featherweight champion narrowly avoided a potential knockout.

In a scramble, Hughes actually ended up on top of McKee where he began raining down shots from above while defending a few up kicks coming at him from the bottom. McKee continued to roll and eventually got back to his feet but Hughes made him pay for it just before the first round ended.

With McKee backing up against the cage, Hughes unloaded a massive right hook that landed flush on the jaw. McKee dropped to the canvas just as the bell rang to end the round, potentially saving him from some follow up shots that could have earned Hughes the finish.

Following a minute long recovery between rounds, McKee was a little more reserved with his offense, although he did launch a couple of successful straight punches to get Hughes attention. In return, Hughes clipped McKee with a slick combination but a jumping knee attack backfired as he ended up slipping and falling to the ground.

McKee did his best to take advantage with his grappling but Hughes never gave him anything to work with before he ran out of time.

With five minutes remaining, McKee once again looked for the takedown as he grabbed onto the body lock and pressed Hughes against the cage. When he wasn’t able to drag the fight to the ground, Hughes broke free and really started launching combinations while McKee was looking like his gas tank was running dry.

Hughes continued to set up his strikes while McKee just couldn’t get much going as time ran out and a new star emerged in the lightweight division.

Following the win, Hughes wasted no time proposing that his third PFL fight come along with some gold on the line.

“We want to see Ireland vs. Dagestan,” Hughes shouted. “We want to see Paul Hughes vs. Usman Nurmagomedov. Let’s go.”

Ott Tanak says helping Hyundai win the World Rally Championship manufacturers’ title remains his priority despite provisionally reducing team-mate Thierry Neuville‘s drivers’ points lead at the Central European Rally.

Tanak headed into the WRC’s penultimate round 29 points adrift of Neuville, knowing his team-mate could claim a maiden world title if he outscored him by two points.

Neuville was on course to do that, having led the rally until stage 11, when two off-road excursions dropped the Belgian to fourth, while Tanak ended the day in second, 5.2s adrift of leader Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier.

Prior to Neuville’s mistake, Tanak had closed to within 0.8s of his team-mate after winning stage nine.

Tanak revealed at the midday service that his speed prompted messages reminding him of the risks at stake in regards to the manufacturers’ title battle from the Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul, who is keen to deliver the Korean marque’s first title since 2020.

However, under the new points system for this year, Tanak stands to take at least five points out of Neuville’s lead if he finishes the rally, which could ensure the title battle will go down to season finale in Japan next month.

The points margin between the drivers could fluctuate again on Sunday with 12 points on offer under the Super Sunday format.

Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

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Despite the possible points swing, the 2019 world champion says the drivers’ title is not his main focus, and that protecting Hyundai’s 17-point lead over Toyota is the main objective.

“Tomorrow we still need to keep pushing as we have done so far, and it is important to score points tomorrow,” said Tanak.

“The manufacturers’ title is so open it is really my first priority. The drivers’ title is still up to Thierry and what he wants to do with that. The Toyotas are so fast at the moment I need to manage with them.”

While disappointed by the mistakes that cost him valuable championship points, Neuville says his plan for Sunday is to push for Super Sunday points to bolster his title hopes.

Neuville could still lift the title on Sunday although it is highly likely he will need Tanak to have a problem.

“There was a chance for a better result today but it could have been worse. We didn’t expect to be in the lead after the first day of a rally that we didn’t need to win, but the rhythm was there and the car was working well,” said Neuville.

“Today was more challenging and a small mistake in the recce [when making pacenotes] cost important seconds in the fight for victory. We lost a few positions but we are still in the race.

Thierry Neuville, Hyundai World Rally Team

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

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“I think we have to drive fast [on Sunday] and take the maximum points, but we definitely need to bring the car home.”

Wary of the team’s position in the manufacturers’ title battle, Abiteboul has set a target for Neuville on Sunday.

“If Thierry does it [wins the drivers’ title on Sunday], it would probably mean something bad would have to happen to Ott and that is not what I wish for right now,” said Abiteboul.

“I think the target for Thierry will be to get at least 30 points ahead of Seb [Ogier in the championship], and if he can do that we will be in a decent position to manage the drivers’ title in Japan.”