Rafael Nadal named ambassador for Saudi Tennis Federation: What will be tennis star's role?

Rafael Nadal was named as the ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation on Monday. It’s the latest in Saudi Arabia’s attempt to grow its footprint in the world of global sports which many also describe as ‘sportswashing’ – an attempt by the oil-rich kingdom to improve its image tarnished by poor human rights record. Sport is also a major component of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform agenda, which aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a tourism and business hub while transitioning the world’s biggest crude oil exporter away from fossil fuels. Saudi Arabia has lured football stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar to play in the Saudi Pro League, hosted heavyweight bouts and funded the upstart LIV Golf tour to take on the PGA Tour. As Nadal becomes the latest sporting star to get associated with the controversial Gulf nation, we take a look at what he brings to the table and what will be his role. Why Saudi Tennis Federation picked Nadal? Nadal is arguably one the biggest names in world sports let alone tennis. With 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles to his name, he is second in the all-time list, only behind Novak Djokovic and ahead of the great Roger Federer who won 20 Slams. The Spaniard who is 37 years old, however, has been struggling with a hip injury and is currently out of action but remains one of the highest earners in world sports and among the most influential sporting personalities. He was seen as Federer’s nemesis on the tennis court and their thrilling duels also made Nadal extremely popular. What Nadal said after being named Saudi Tennis ambassador? The legendary tennis player feels there’s real potential for tennis in Saudi Arabia and he wants to play a role in growing the sport. “Everywhere you look in Saudi Arabia, you can see growth and progress and I’m excited to be part of that,” he said in a press release. “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.” What will be Nadal’s role? Nadal recently visited a junior tennis clinic in Riyadh, and his new role will involve “dedicated time in the kingdom each year” to grow the sport as well as the development of a new Rafa Nadal Academy, the Saudi federation said on Monday. Nadal’s playing status Nadal was due to feature in the ongoing Australian Open having been out of the game since injuring his hip at the 2023 edition. After winning his opening two matches at the warm-up event in Brisbane, however, to tore a muscle and was forced to miss the first Grand Slam of the year. Nadal had previously said there was a “high percentage” that 2024 would be his farewell to the tour. Saudi’s tennis investment The Nadal announcement comes after a busy 2023 for tennis in Saudi Arabia, which hosted its first ATP Tour event – the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah – and closed out the year with exhibition matches pitting Novak Djokovic against Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka against Ons Jabeur. Saudi Arabia has in fact signed a five-year deal to host the Next Gen ATP Finals. With agency inputs