Before becoming a world champion, Rafael Nadal was known as a “good guy.” His acceptance of the offer to become Saudi Arabia’s tennis ambassador shattered the ideals many in the country had for the player.
advertisement“Is it already clear who Rafa Nadal is?”
That’s the question fans of the tennis star have been asking on social media following the announcement that the son of the popular Spanish athlete has signed a deal to become Saudi Arabia’s “tennis ambassador.”
Nadal signed an agreement with the oil-rich Arab country to “promote the development of sport”, but it was Nadal’s words that left Spaniards speechless even more than his actions. “Everywhere you look, you see growth and progress here.”
“Can money buy everything?” advocates first asked, criticizing the lack of human rights in the Gulf. Now, the discussion has moved from social networks to office hallways, cafeterias and Whatsapp groups.
“I read the news at night and thought I had read it wrong because I was so tired, but the next day I found out it was true. My first thought was why did he “Has he sold himself? He has a lot of money, he won everything, he didn’t need it,” said Jaime, a Madrid native whose idol was always Nadal. told Euronews.
“It was such a huge blow that I could start counting the years from this moment. This is the first year since Rapha was sold,” he added.
Newspapers also published a letter lamenting Nadal’s decision. “I don’t understand the need for him to sell himself like this, but I don’t blame him either. When it comes to big money, you lose your dignity and honor,” Pablo Erskine of Alcorcón in El Pais wrote.
“Is it really worth sacrificing principles for a few more million dollars?”
Gonzalo discussed this with a colleague during a coffee break at the bank where he works in London. “It’s hard for me to be objective because Nadal is a god, but it’s clear that this is not the best course of action for him.”
Some wonder why Spain’s most popular sports star made this decision, while others defend their idol even in the biggest controversy.
“I don’t know if this contract is good for his image, but I think he is not here for money, but for the development of tennis and the academy. I still believe in Nadal’s values and principles. ” says Jorge. He is a Spaniard living in Germany who says he has never missed a match with Nadal.
Seduced by oil money
Spain’s reaction may come as a surprise, as Rafa Nadal is not the first athlete to work in Saudi Arabia, nor will he be the last. Especially since he remained silent when other players signed contracts with Arab countries.
Another Spaniard, Jon Rahm, has joined the Saudi government-funded golf league in a deal estimated to be worth more than $500 million.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is set to get €200 million across the border to boost Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup, according to media reports.
Little information has been released about Nadal’s contract with Saudi Arabia, let alone the amount. All that has been announced is that it is a “long-term commitment to support the growth of the sport in Saudi Arabia and inspire a new generation of tennis players.”
A statement from the Saudi Tennis Federation also said that a new Rafa Nadal Academy has opened in Saudi Arabia and that the players will spend some time there.
Nadal’s reputation as a role model
To understand the uproar caused by Nadal’s deal with Saudi Arabia, the male tennis player who has won the most Grand Slam titles, you need to understand his relationship with Spain. Many refer to him as a “Son of Spain” and an “exemplary man.”
But why do (almost) all Spaniards like Nadal?
advertisementHis communications director, Benito Pérez Barbadillo, told Diario de Cádiz newspaper two years ago.
“Rafa is how people see him. He’s a very normal person, a very good person. The reason Rafa is so popular is because he has no double standards and is very genuine. I think it’s because he’s not an artificial person,” he said.
The tennis player from the Mallorcan town of Manacor has always been seen as a boy who doesn’t brag about his victories or have an eccentric attitude. He is a humble and generous champion who fights defeat with more effort and discipline.
In a 2017 interview with El Pais newspaper, Nadal said that in terms of managing his assets, “Maybe it would be better to go to another country with better conditions, but I’m happy with my family and Spain.” “It’s about being there,” he said. ”
Before becoming world champion, Rafa Nadal was known as a “good guy”. Her acceptance of Saudi Arabia’s offer shattered the ideals many in the country had for the tennis great.
advertisementWhat is Saudi Arabia aiming for?
Since 2021, the country is estimated to have invested $6.3 billion in sports deals, and while that number is likely to be even higher, a lack of transparency makes it difficult to ascertain the total amount. be.
Authoritarian regimes invest millions of dollars in sports to project an image of modernity.
“It’s a country that tries to promote the image of an open, developed country that follows Western standards, but is still accused of not respecting human rights,” said David Hernández, a professor of international relations at Madrid’s Complutense University. he said. euronews.
The use of oil money supports Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 strategy, launched eight years ago, to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil dependence.
The prince claimed that sports contributes to an increase of 1% in the country’s GDP and expects further growth in this sector.
advertisement“Saudis recognize that the international energy market is changing, increasingly favoring renewable energy, and are therefore seeking to transform their country’s economy,” it added.
Hernández believes Saudi Arabia is trying to achieve several goals. The first is to show off their strength by signing big stars and prove they have the ability and resources to organize whatever they want.
Second, it sends a message that this country is open to contact with other cultures. And the ultimate goal is to become a world media powerhouse.
“This is a model similar to the World Cup in Qatar. When the tournament was held, there were many accusations that human rights and labor conditions were not respected, but in the end at the World Cup, people wanted to play football. ”, says the expert.
“The Saudi regime wants to project an image of itself that it wants the world to see. It’s a very studied and calculated image.”
advertisement