Rafael Nadal blasted after becoming new Saudi Arabia tennis ambassador – ‘I guess the money was talking’

Shahida Jacobs
Rafael Nadal looks on
Rafael Nadal during a practice session in Brisbane

Rafael Nadal has joined forces with the Saudi Tennis Federation (STF) as he has been announced as ambassador for the sport in the Gulf kingdom, but the move has not gone down well with a lot of tennis fans.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner issued a statement on Monday saying that he is “excited” to be part of the Middle Eastern country’s plans to grow the sport.

“Today is about new opportunities for the new generation. The goal is to promote tennis all around the country, to create infrastructure, grow players with positive values and educate them through tennis,” an Instagram post read.

“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 statement released by the STF added: “Everywhere you look in Saudi Arabia, you can see growth and progress and I’m excited to be part of that.

“I continue to play tennis as I love the game. But beyond playing I want to help the sport grow far and wide across the world and in Saudi there is real potential.”

Under the deal, Nadal will visit the country each year and will help to grow the sport even further by training children while he is also set to open an academy in Ridyah.

But Nadal has come under fire from the tennis community as Saudi Arabia has been accused of sportswashing via its Public Investment Fund.

Many believe PIF – who has invested billions in sports like golf and Formula 1 – is using sport to hide its awful human rights abuse record, its strict anti-homosexuality laws as well as its systematic discrimination against women.

Many X users pointed out why they were unhappy with Nadal’s decision.

“Saudi Arabia is an awful regime that violates human rights in some of the worst ways imaginable (Google it if you’re unfamiliar). They’ve poured a ton of money into sports to rehabilitate their image. I’m sure Rafa has good intentions, but this isn’t great.” – @tennisnation

“It’s grim when even image aware and generally cautious superstars like Rafa fall for Saudi money.” – @erktennis

“As a fan, a woman and a human being, seeing Rafa endorse the Saudi regime in its sportwashing efforts is a huge disappointment. I hope at least he gets asked the difficult and necessary questions by journalists and fans. This deplorable decision cannot be left unchallenged 👎🏻” – @Just__Fran

“Rafa is coming for their retirement money. Remember,not long ago all elite athletes were advocating against promoting sports in Saudi owing to their humanitarian crisis, following Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. Money, buys morals. A lot of it, buys it even quicker.” – @ALLINBET9

“This is a man who has created generational wealth through prize money alone but apparently he really needed some blood money to stack on top of it.” – @estiemation

“Imagine being close to retirement and jumping at the opportunity to support a regime with human rights abuses that stretch far and wide. I guess the money was talking. 🤦🏽♂️” – @MJDUB22

READ MORE: Judy Murray the latest to be accused of accepting ‘sportswashing role in Saudi Arabia’

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