Rafa Nadal looks like he’s striking the ball very well ahead of Indian Wells. That forehand is just timeless. 🇪🇸
Is Nadal's role as ambassador for Saudi Tennis justified or not?
ATPMonday, 26 February 2024 at 19:30
Last month, Rafael Nadal took up an offer to become an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Association. This is so the Spaniard can help grow the game in that region of the world, particularly among youngsters.
Doing any kind of business with Saudi Arabia does open the door for criticism, however. The country has been accused of having a poor human rights record and disguising this with the use of 'Sportswashing'.
Nadal's uncle and former coach Toni has defended his nephew and says Nadal will attempt to get children into the game of tennis. "My nephew was offered to try to get young people to do sports in that country," Toni Nadal told El Mundo.
"Rafa believes that what he can contribute can help change and improve society and the lives of many young people just as if he did it in Cuba or in Venezuela."
Hypocritical
Toni instead offered a different perspective on how Saudi Arabia is viewed in the sporting world.
"I think that today we live in an excessively hypocritical world. How do you help improve a country more, by boycotting Saudi Arabia or helping its young people?"
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