'Don't leave tennis', Djokovic tells Nadal

Two great rivals faced off for the final time at exhibition event in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH — Novak Djokovic implored long-time adversary Rafael Nadal to put off his planned retirement after defeating the Spaniard Saturday in what was likely to be the final chapter of their "amazing rivalry".

"Don't leave tennis, man," Djokovic said in an on-court interview after beating Nadal in straight sets 6-2,7-6 (5) at the "Six Kings Slam" exhibition in Saudi Arabia.

He added that their battles over the years had been "very intense "and told Nadal he hoped they could one day "sit on a beach somewhere "and have a drink.