Rafael Nadal ‘accepts’ criticism as he reveals reasons why he chose to become ambassador for Saudi tennis
One of Rafael Nadal's jobs post-retirement is to promote tennis in Saudi Arabia where he recently visited for the Next Gen ATP Finals.
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Rafael Nadal (Via Imago)
Rafael Nadal was criticized by a section of the tennis world when it was announced that he would be the ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation. Nadal however has several reasons to join the STF.
The King of Clay was in Jeddah for the first time (his third visit to the country) for the Next Gen ATP Finals. He was in Riyadh in October for the Six Kings Slam, an exhibition event with a prize money of $6 million. Nadal admitted that he is ‘lucky’ that through tennis, he is learning a lot about Saudi culture.
Second, to promote our sport in a region that is really growing in that regard. And in some way, as a tennis ambassador, we have the obligation to promote our sport around the world. And this is a region that is opening to the world in recent years, so my goal and my motivation is to bring tennis to the new generations.
Rafael Nadal said during an interview with The National
Whenever tennis is linked to Saudi Arabia, criticism from all corners comes in due to the country’s human rights record. Nadal ‘accepted’ the criticism and respected the views of those critics who gave their opinions while ‘respecting other people’.
His main goal as the ambassador is to improve life and help more kids to choose tennis as a career. He sees Saudi Arabia as an opportunity to create ‘something beautiful’ for the people after his experience playing in other Middle-East countries.
Rafael Nadal reveals what title he wishes he could’ve won
Rafael Nadal retired at the Davis Cup in Malaga in November this year. Although this time Spain failed to lift the title, Nadal was a part of the team that won five titles (2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2019).
Apart from the Davis Cup, he has won 22 Grand Slam titles, gold medals in the Olympics, and many ATP 500 and ATP 1000 tournaments. He doesn’t have just one title in his trophy cabinet- the ATP Finals trophy.
Of course, I would like to have won the ATP Finals one time, that’s probably the only important event that I never won. But that’s it. I was a little bit unlucky that at the end of the season, I was not in my best shape physically. A lot of time with injuries.
Rafael Nadal said during the interview with The National
Nadal has reached the summit clash of the ATP Finals twice. In 2010, he lost to Roger Federer, while in 2013, Novak Djokovic defeated him.
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Gouri Das
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