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.