Which player could Saudi Arabia dream of more iconic than Rafael Nadal to attract and promote major tennis events on its soil? In a statement on Monday, the 22-time Grand Slam champion announced that he would become the "new ambassador of the Saudi Tennis Federation as part of a long-term commitment to contribute to the development of the sport and inspire a new generation of athletes in Saudi Arabia". After Kuwait, a new Rafa Nadal academy is emerging in the region.
"I keep playing because I love tennis," added Nadal, who had to withdraw from the Australian Open due to injury. But I also want to help grow the sport around the world. The potential is real in Saudi Arabia. If I can help the kids pick up a snowshoe, I'll be glad I made a difference. »
🇸🇦 Rafael Nadal has been appointed an ambassador for Saudi Tennis, and is expected to open an Academy in Riyadh👇 pic.twitter.com/Hd4wkKGQ29
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) January 15, 2024
With this new partnership, Saudi Arabia, which has already hosted the NextGen at the end of the year (the equivalent of the Masters, bringing together eight promising youngsters), shows that it intends to further increase its influence in tennis.
On its roadmap, Saudi Arabia has carried the organization of the WTA Masters (women), the creation of a women's tournament equivalent to the men's NextGen, as well as the achievement of a Masters 1000, a category of tournaments of rank immediately below the Grand Slams, such as those of Miami, Indian Wells, Rome or Bercy.
As the world's largest oil producer, Saudi Arabia obviously has the means to achieve its ambitions and sufficient resources to afford the services of the best ambassadors. The country continues to come under fire for its "sportswashing" policy, using sport as diplomatic leverage in recent years with Formula 1, MotoGP, the Dakar Rally, the LIV golf circuit and football to burnish its reputation in the face of criticism over its human rights record.