Nadal and the Saudis?

The new ambassador for tennis in Saudi Arabia

Nadal and the Saudis? A few years ago, that question would have been considered unthinkable. Now, post-LIV formation days, it seems like a foregone conclusion. More and more sports leagues and athletes are taking the bags of cash and partnering with Saudi Arabia. Many are calling it “sportswashing.”  Sportswashing is a term used to describe the practice of nations, individuals, groups, corporations, or governments using sports to improve reputations tarnished by wrongdoing.

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest players in history and winner of 22 Grand Slam titles was appointed ambassador of the Saudi Tennis Federation on Monday as part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to host more professional tournaments as part of its sports expansion goals.

أُمسية لا تنسى لأبنائنا وبناتنا، شكًرا لسفيرنا الجديد @RafaelNadal

An unforgettable evening for our boys and girls. Thank you, new ambassador @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/AdkFm02xwk

— الاتحاد السعودي للتنس (@sauditenfed) January 15, 2024

Rafael Nadal, the Spanish tennis player who missed the first Grand Slam tournament of the year in Australia due to injury, has wasted no time in resuming his activities. He was recently appointed as an Ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation, a country that is striving to establish itself as a major host for sporting events.

Returning from injury

Despite a forgettable year due to injury, Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, is still committed to promoting the sport that he has loved and played since childhood.

“In Saudi Arabia, progress and development can be seen everywhere, and I am delighted to be a part of it,” stated the player, who is widely regarded as the best tennis player of the 21st century and undoubtedly the best Spanish tennis player of all time, in a press release from the federation.

Wants to help grow the game

With regard to his current situation, the player stated, “I will continue playing tennis because I am passionate about it. However, I also want to contribute to the growth of the sport worldwide, and I see great potential in Saudi Arabia.”

The tennis player who previously held the world number one position for a total of 209 weeks had previously stated that he might retire from the circuit in 2024. Recently, he paid a visit to a junior tennis clinic in Riyadh. As per the announcement made by the Saudi Arabian Federation, he will now be spending time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia each year to help grow the sport in the Middle Eastern country, including the establishment of a new Rafa Nadal Academy.

Nadal Expansion

The Spaniard was born in Manacor, which is the second largest city in Mallorca after the capital Palma. He already has 19 tennis academies, which include those run by Toni Nadal, Carlos Moya, and Carlos Costa. With this agreement, he will also expand them in the Gulf countries.

In Saudi Arabia, tennis had a busy 2023 that included hosting the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, as well as exhibition matches between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, and between Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur. The Saudi Arabian Association stated that the five-year agreement to bring the Next Gen ATP Finals to Jeddah shows the country’s intention to make tennis a significant part of its international calendar and that it will likely host many more professional tournaments in the future. Sports play a crucial role in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform plan, which aims to make Saudi Arabia a hub for tourism and business while transitioning away from fossil fuels, which are the country’s primary export and source of income.

Tennis legend @RafaelNadal is the new Ambassador of the Saudi Tennis Federation. This is a move to surely inspire future generations in the Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/h1yEYFhpGk

— CIC Saudi Arabia (@CICSaudi) January 16, 2024

Saudi’s Want Global Sports

Saudi Arabia has been working to establish the Arabia brand as a host for major global sporting events. Recently, the country managed to attract football stars including Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Neymar, and others to play in the Saudi Pro League. This league has a significant following around the world. Additionally, the Kingdom has organized heavyweight boxing matches and sponsored the new LIV golf tour to compete with the PGA Tour. It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia has been chosen to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

Despite these achievements, Saudi Arabia has faced criticism from its detractors who suggest that it is using sport to improve its international image and reputation. The country has also been criticized for its stance on human rights, gender equality, and the environment.

John McEnroe Not Happy

While McEnroe was critical of reports Saudi Arabia is looking to purchase some tennis tournaments, he also claimed it wasn’t new for governments and businesses all around the world. “Personally, I disagree with it completely, with the golf and the tennis,” he said on an ESPN call last week. “The ladies are going to play the WTA Finals there? Are you kidding me? Because they treat women so well? That part is to me laughable.

“At the same time, which is also laughable, is the people that can criticize tennis players or golfers for doing something that virtually every business and the government do, which is deal with Saudi Arabia. This idea that tennis players have to set the moral standard, or golfers for that matter when they’re all making the money, it’s a total joke as far as I’m concerned. We’ll see what happens.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Credit