Rafael Nadal breaks silence on his Saudi Arabia role and addresses sportswashing claims
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has spoken for the first time since it was revealed he had become an ambassador for the tennis federation of Saudi Arabia.
The 22-time major champion dismissed suggestions Saudi Arabia was using him to “wash any image” and declared that the Middle East country has “great potential.”
The Saudi Tennis Federation (STF) announced last month that Nadal had taken up a role as a tennis ambassador, with the Spaniard saying: “It’s a big opportunity to develop the sport in a country which is investing a lot in sport and encouraging younger generations to get into tennis.”
In a video shared on the Saudi Tennis Instagram account, Nadal added: “Today is about opportunities for the new generation. For me, the goal is to promote tennis all around the country and to create the infrastructure, to create players growing with very positive values, education, with the team spirit. To have the possibility to practise this sport in the best way possible.”
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The 37-year-old has received criticism for accepting the role as Saudi Arabia has been accused of trying to improve its image and overshadow its poor human rights record by investing huge money in sport.
The ATP has already signed deals with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), with the Next Gen ATP Finals being held in Jeddah — a Saudi city — until 2027. PIF are reportedly set to buy the ATP ranking system and there is talk further major investments could follow in the coming years.
The WTA is also believed to be in talks with Saudi officials as it has been claimed the Middle Eastern nation could host this year’s WTA Finals.
In an interview on LaSexta, Nadal addressed claims he was playing a role in a sportswashing operation and expressed hope that further progress would be made in the country.
“I don’t think Saudi Arabia needs me to wash any image. It is a country that has opened up to the world and it is a country with great potential,” the former world No 1 said.
“Therefore, it is logical that the world is going there and the feeling is that everything is bought with money and that now Rafa has also sold himself to money. I understand that people think that, of course they do.
“Are there things that need to be improved today? Without a doubt. It is a country that is very behind in many things, it has recently opened. If the country does not achieve the evolution that I believe it needs to follow in the next 10-15 years, I will tell you that I was completely wrong.
“I believe that I will have the freedom to be able to work with the values that I believe I have to work on and that are correct. If it doesn’t happen, I will tell you that I made a mistake and that I was wrong.”
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