A humorous moment unfolded during the men's singles final at the 2026 Australian Open when Novak Djokovic playfully invited Rafael Nadal, seated in the stands, to join the match. This occurred early in the fourth set on the evening of 1/2, at Rod Laver Arena, during the match between Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic, after switching sides, noticed Nadal in the first row applauding a point. The Serbian star smiled, looked at his rival, and joked, "Do you want to come play, Rafa?"

Djokovic invites Nadal onto the court for the final against Alcaraz at the Australian Open on Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on the evening of 2/1/2026. Photo: screenshot

The interaction quickly went viral, captivating millions online and delighting the crowd. Cameras captured the moment, which rapidly spread across social media platforms, garnering millions of views. Nadal responded with a laugh to the playful invitation, while spectators at Rod Laver Arena reacted with amusement. Although the player nicknamed "King of Clay" did not enter the court, the image of the two legends interacting during the final became a memorable highlight.

Nadal attended the match as a spectator, observing the contest between his younger compatriot, Carlos Alcaraz, and his formidable rival, Novak Djokovic. Prior to the final, Nadal had stated he wasn't leaning towards either player. However, the 39-year-old former player conceded that if forced to choose, he would support Alcaraz.

The interaction between the two tennis titans underscored their storied rivalry and shared history. Nadal, a winner of 22 Grand Slams, has faced Djokovic in 60 official matches throughout his career, marking the most frequent men's singles rivalry in the Open Era. Djokovic currently holds a 31-29 lead in their head-to-head record. In terms of men's singles Grand Slam titles, Djokovic edges Nadal with 24 to 22.

The 2026 Australian Open final itself was a historic contest, with both players vying for significant milestones. Djokovic aimed for his 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Alcaraz sought to become the youngest player to achieve a career Grand Slam. Djokovic initially took the first set 6-2, but Alcaraz staged a comeback, winning the subsequent three sets 6-2, 6-3, and 7-5 to secure the championship.

Throughout the match, cameras frequently highlighted Nadal, capturing his reactions to the unfolding drama. He intently followed important plays, showing his engagement with expressions and applause for exceptional shots. The celebrity presence extended beyond Nadal, with actor Liam Hemsworth, singer Jay Chou, and billionaires Lindsay Fox and Larry Kestelman also spotted in the stands.

Even after the final, Djokovic acknowledged Nadal during his runner-up speech, maintaining the lighthearted tone. The Serbian player publicly extended a greeting to "legend Rafa" in the stands, which was met with applause from the crowd. Djokovic quipped, "It's great to see you up there and not down here." He added, "Thanks for coming, but I feel like these two brothers teamed up to play me today," playfully referring to Nadal and Alcaraz.

Hoang An (according to Fox Sports)