NEW DELHI: Spanish tennis icon
Rafael Nadal
has been appointed as the ambassador for the
Saudi Tennis Federation
on Monday, marking a significant move by the Gulf kingdom to enhance its presence in the
professional tennis circuit
.
In a press release from the federation, the 37-year-old, who boasts an impressive record of 22
Grand Slam
victories, expressed his enthusiasm for being part of
Saudi Arabia
's growth in the realm of sports.
"Everywhere you look in Saudi Arabia, you can see growth and progress, and I'm excited to be part of that," said Nadal. "I continue to play tennis as I love the game. But beyond playing, I want to help the sport grow far and wide across the world, and in Saudi, there is real potential."
Nadal, who was set to participate in the ongoing Australian Open, has been out of the game since sustaining a hip injury during the 2023 edition. Although he won his first two matches at the warm-up event in Brisbane, a muscle tear forced him to miss the first Grand Slam of the year. The tennis legend had previously hinted at a potential farewell to the tour in 2024.
The announcement follows a busy year for tennis in Saudi Arabia, including hosting its inaugural ATP Tour event, the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, and concluding the year with exhibition matches featuring top players like Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka.
As part of his new role, Nadal will dedicate time each year to the kingdom, with plans for the development of a new Rafa Nadal Academy. The Saudi Tennis Federation emphasizes Nadal's commitment to growing the sport in the region, following his recent visit to a junior tennis clinic in Riyadh.
Sport plays a pivotal role in Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman
's Vision 2030 reform agenda, aiming to transform Saudi Arabia into a prominent tourism and business hub while diversifying away from fossil fuels. The Gulf kingdom has attracted global sporting events, signed football stars like
Cristiano Ronaldo
and Neymar for the Saudi Pro League, and secured the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup. However, these initiatives have been met with criticism, with some accusing Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing" to improve its international image amid concerns about human rights and the environment.
The five-year deal to host the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah signals Saudi Arabia's intent to make tennis a major part of its international calendar, with expectations for more professional tournaments in the years to come, according to the Saudi Tennis Federation.
(With inputs from AFP)
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