A nation on a mission to speedrun its way to sports greatness – the Saudi Tennis Federation (STF) has enlisted former world No.1 Rafael Nadal as its new ambassador.
As part of Saudi Arabia’s pledge to develop local sports industries and inspire a new generation of Saudi athletes, the Spanish superstar dropped into Riyadh for a surprise visit and was officially named ambassador to the STF.
In a statement released by the STF, Nadal said: “Everywhere you look in Saudi Arabia, you can see growth and progress, and I’m excited to be a part of that. I continue to play tennis as I love 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.”
As ambassador, the King of Clay will aid in developing tennis in the Kingdom, including visiting junior tennis clinics and spending significant time advising and nurturing young, budding athletes. “The kids here today are looking to the future and have a real passion for all sports”, shared Nadal. “If I can help them pick up a racquet or simply get fit and enjoy the benefits of healthy living, then I’ll be happy to have made a difference.”
The Spaniard’s Rafa Nadal Academy will work closely with Team Saudi to coach and motivate them ahead of international tournaments, including the Olympic & Paralympic Games.
January 2024 marked a highly anticipated comeback for the 22-time Grand Slam champion, after nearly a year of sitting out due to injury. Unfortunately, Nadal had to pull out of the Australian Open not too long after, due to the tournament’s tough 5-set nature. Fret not, the “King of Clay” has shared that he is focused on making a full recovery and gearing up for the Clay courts this summer at Roland Garros and the Olympics.