Former world number one Rafael Nadal has hit back at criticism after being alleged of becoming a ‘sold out’ in sports washing for Saudi Arabia.
The 37-year-old is often regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s singles tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles.
Nadal has been criticised heavily for becoming one of the top players to acknowledge the country’s effort to bring top tennis stars together.
There have been reports that Saudi Arabia is in discussion to bring a major WTA event, possibly WTA Finals, from 2024 onwards.
Nadal was recently quoted in a report where he hit back at criticism and stated that the oil-rich country does not want him to ‘wash nay images’.
“I don’t think Saudi Arabia needs me to wash any images,” said the former world number one. “It is a country that has opened up to the world and it is a country with great potential.
“Therefore, it is logical that the world is beginning to there and the feeling is that everything is bought with money and that now Rafa has also been sold to money. I understand that people think that they, of course they do.
“Are things that need to be improved today [in the region]? Without a doubt. It is a country that is very late in many things and has only recently opened up a bit.
“If the country does not achieve the evolution that I think it has to follow in the next 10-15 years, I will tell you that I was completely wrong.
“I think I’m going to have the freedom to work with the values that I think I have to work with and that are the right ones. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll tell you that I made a mistake.”
1068 - Upon his return from injury, Rafael Nadal is currently on 1,068 ATP match wins in his career. One victory will move him past Ivan Lendl for the outright fourth-most in the Open Era. Motivation. #BrisbaneTennis | @BrisbaneTennis @RafaelNadal @atptour
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