Rafael Nadal has addressed’sportswashing’ allegations after accepting a £208,000 gold racket from exhibition tournament organizers in Saudi Arabia.
The Spaniard will retire after the Davis Cup Finals in November, capping off a phenomenal 23-year professional career.
His appearance at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh represented his final competition, with one exception.
Nadal was named an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation earlier this week, joining current ambassadors Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
As the news was made, Nadal noted that his choice was driven by a desire to spread enthusiasm for his sport.
He stated: “Everywhere you go in Saudi Arabia, you can see growth and improvement, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. I continue to play tennis because I enjoy 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.”
The 38-year-old was then part of a star-studded lineup for the Saudi Arabian Six Kings Slam, which debuted this year.
He received a handsome sum of £1.15 million only for participating in the event, despite only playing in the first round.
Jannik Sinner, the world number one and eventual tournament winner, got a whopping £4.6 million.
However, Nadal left the event with more than just that.
At the Six Kings Slam, the Saudis presented the 22-time Grand Slam winner with a solid gold tennis racket as an homage to his achievements and in honor of his retirement.
According to Spanish source Marca, it weighs approximately 3 kilograms and is worth at least £208,000.
Saudi Arabia is currently expanding its presence in the tennis sector, as it has done in football and golf.
However, Nadal was eager to address concerns about’sportswashing’ following the competition, as critics have accused the region of utilizing sports to mask a poor human rights record.
“I say one thing that is simple: I understand the controversy,” Nadal told the Spanish publication AS.
“What occurs is that there comes a point when you can be in one location or another, depending on your viewpoint. I respect all viewpoints as long as my own are respected.”
He continued: “Do they pay me to come here? Yes. However, we must maintain a clear viewpoint. You arrive here, and what are your thoughts? Are you doing well or bad?
“Because the main issue in the end is that you are compensated for it. Because, honestly, coming here benefits the country.
“Let’s not kid ourselves; it’s known as sportswashing, and there is some truth to it.
“But the other part is that, thanks to all of that, people who have been imprisoned in this country and have not been able to see a different world, thanks to all of the tourists who are coming, to all of the events that are taking place here throughout the year, can see another world, other cultures, and have the ability to truly move forward.
“So, I don’t have the slightest doubt that the people who come to do events here, from any field, do good for the country.”
