Rafael Nadal is in much news of late for all the wrong reasons. Earlier this year, he pulled out of the Australian Open citing injury concerns. Days later, he announced that he would be playing an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia. This move caught the eyebrows of the tennis world and he received massive criticism for his links to $650 Bn worth Saudi’s Public Investment Fund. Additionally, Nadal was also named the ambassador of Saudi Arabia. Recently, he broke his silence on this matter.
Nadal said, “I don’t think Saudi Arabia needs me to wash any image. It is a country that has opened up to the world and it is a country with great potential, okay?”
Further, he went on to add, “Therefore, it is logical that the world is going there and the feeling is that everything is bought with money and that now Rafa has also sold himself to money. I understand that people think that, of course they do.”
The drama began after Nadal agreed to take part in the Six Kings Slam event in Saudi Arabia. It is an exhibition event that is set to take place in October amid the hectic ATP Tour schedule. Nadal’s decision came after he had pulled out of the Grand Slam Down Under. Consequently, fans were not happy with his participation in the exhibition event. Even legends like Andy Roddick didn’t like Nadal’s Saudi move.
What did Andy Roddick say about the Saudi links of Rafael Nadal?
Recently, in his podcast, the American tennis icon made a candid revelation about the ongoing Saudi debate. He gave an example of LIV golf to put forth his point.
Talking about it, Roddick said, “Yeah so, I have been on record saying I wouldn’t have left to play for LIV. The PGA Tour is pretty good. I think they have 45-minute flights for the next four weeks between the two events, all open down the West Coast for a lot of money.”
Further, he added, “But the biggest thing for me, I can say no to money because I’m a capitalist in life, I like to go get things, I believe in free markets but I also don’t like doing things if they feel gross, and if they feel a little bit icky.”
It remains to be seen how Rafael Nadal’s Saudi Arabia move pans out. However, for now, his fans have been left dejected after watching him sit out of important tournaments on the ATP Tour.
