Nadal defies Critics, embraces Saudi Mission: “I don’t care that much”
Rafael Nadal isn’t backing down. The tennis legend, who signed a lucrative deal to become an ambassador for Saudi Arabian tennis, has fired back at critics who slammed his involvement with the controversial regime.
“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. 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.”
Nadal, who retired from professional tennis in November, remains committed to his mission to grow the sport in Saudi Arabia. He recently visited Jeddah to attend the NextGen ATP Finals, where he interacted with young players and emphasized his desire to leave a lasting impact.
“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.”
Despite facing criticism over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, Nadal remains undeterred. He’s focused on his goal of fostering tennis development in the region, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the sport and his own unique brand of defiance.
