spanish superstar Rafael Nadal has spoken about his ties to Saudi Arabia after being named ambassador to the country’s Tennis Federation last month.
“They pay me, yes, do I need the money? Not at all, it won’t change my life. I didn’t sign a great contract, like other athletes who are there and I totally respect them” , declared the former world number one. » I declared on Wednesday in an interview with the Spanish television channel La Sexta.
Nadal has reached an agreement with the Middle Eastern country for a long-term commitment to help develop the sport and inspire a new generation of tennis players. He plans to establish a Rafa Nadal academy in the country.
“My commitment is to promote tennis and try to achieve my goals. I don’t think Saudi needs me to clean up its image. That’s not my goal. People tend to give their opinion without question,” Nadal said.
“Needless to say, when I agreed, I knew what was going to happen. I think my team made a miscommunication and I should have come out and explained it,” he added .
Saudi Arabia has invested billions in global sports, including football, cycling, auto racing and golf, drawing sharp criticism from people who say it is an attempt to distract from rights abuses humans in the country.
Nadal hopes to compete at Roland Garros and this year’s Olympics.
The 37-year-old has won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record 14 crowns at Roland Garros.
“I don’t know what events I have left to play, but between you and me there won’t be many,” Nadal said.
“(Roland Garros) will be one of my goals,” he added when asked if he would participate in his favorite Grand Slam tournament in May.
“I would also like to participate in the Olympics. It’s not something I can confirm at the moment, but I hope I will… I think I will.”
Nadal, sidelined by injury for most of 2023, withdrew from next week’s Qatar Open on Wednesday, postponing his return to competitive tennis as he has not recovered from a torn muscle that he suffered in Brisbane last month.
