Rafael Nadal signed a deal to become an ambassador for Saudi Arabian tennis (Image: Getty)
has addressed his controversial Saudi Arabia tennis deal after being criticised for helping promote the sport in the Middle East.
The 38-year-old signed a lucrative deal in January 2024 worth a reported £598.6million ($750m) to become an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation.
Nadal was one of the star names enticed by the £1.2m entrant fee and £5m prize money on offer for the winner at the Six Kings Slam, which took place in Riyadh two months as the likes of , and also competed.
However, there are legitimate concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and its stance on LGBTQ+ relationships, with critics such as Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova voicing their opposition to events such as the WTA Finals being held there.
Nadal admitted he understood why he was being criticised and would not correct his detractors.
“So I accept the critics, especially I respect the critics who criticise things while respecting other people,” Nadal told The National. “When they don’t respect, it’s a different story.
Rafael Nadal flew in to Jeddah to watch the NextGen ATP Finals (Image: Getty)
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“But at the end of the day, I know when I make the decision that’s [criticism] going to be happening.
“But in some way I don’t care that much if I really achieve the goal that I want to achieve here. In the end it’s to improve the life, promoting sport in this country.”
Nadal retired at the Davis Cup in Malaga in November this year, ending his 23-year career as a professional in which he won 92 titles, including 22 Grand Slams.
But he didn’t stay away from the tennis court for too long, having been flown to Jeddah for a three-day trip to take in the action at the NextGen ATP Finals tournament, which was won by Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca.
Rafael Nadal was one of four players to play at the Six Kings Slam event in Saudi Arabia (Image: Getty)
During his visit, he spent time in meet-and-greet sessions and worked with hundreds of children from the Arabian Gulf in tennis clinics.
When he signed the deal in January 2024, Nadal was clear in his mission to create a legacy in Saudi as a pioneer for growing the game in Asia and he remains committed to doing that.
“For me, it’s an opportunity, first of all, to know a different culture. Second, to promote our sport in a region that is really growing in that regard,” he added.
“I want to be remembered here as a person that is here to help the new generations to practice and play more and more tennis.”