"There is no better person than Rafa to do that" says Carlos Alcaraz on Nadal Saudi Arabia ambassador role despite criticism
ATP
Carlos
Alcaraz defended Rafael Nadal amid criticism for his role as the Saudi Arabia
Ambassador. The 22-times Grand Slam champion was appointed to the position and
will establish an academy in the country that is increasingly investing in
tennis. Nadal will travel several times a year to aid in the development of the
junior circuit in the nation.
Alcaraz is
at the Argentina Open and anticipates his debut on Wednesday against the
winner of Juan Pablo Varillas (No. 85) and the local qualifier Camilo Ugo
Carabelli (No. 134).
Nadal's new
role faced criticism, as many believe Saudi Arabia is investing millions in
sports for "sports washing," using sports as a means to improve their
image. The country has already made substantial investments in sports like
football and golf, with tennis emerging as their latest focus.
Despite the
significant investment in the Middle East, not everyone views encouraging the
country positively, given its track record on human rights, especially
regarding women and the LGBTQ+ community.
"There's no better person than Rafa" - Carlos Alcaraz
When asked
about Nadal's prominent involvement, Alcaraz expressed his opinion and defended
his compatriot's decision:
“I’ve heard
people say they’ve been criticising him. Well, Rafa has decided to be an
ambassador, I personally don’t think it’s bad, he has signed up as a tennis
ambassador.” Alcaraz told reporters in Argentina on Monday.
“It’s a
country that is developing, what better than Rafa getting in there to expand
the world of tennis to places where it was never played before. We players are
trying to attract more people to watch tennis and there is no better person
than Rafa to do that.”
“It’s good
for tennis that there are more venues, that the countries where we go and where
we play are opening up,” said Alcaraz.
“Arabia is
a country that is evolving very fast in all senses, in the world of sport there
are a lot of events there. Football, now a lot of tennis. It’s good for sport
in general. I don’t know how far we’ll go, but I’m sure it will be evolving,” the world No. 2 concluded.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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