Carlos Alcaraz hits out at Rafael Nadal critics over multi-million dollar Saudi Arabia deal | M8L713Q | 2024-02-14 16:08:01
Carlos Alcaraz hits out at Rafael Nadal critics over multi-million dollar Saudi Arabia deal | M8L713Q | 2024-02-14 16:08:01
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz has defended his hero and fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal over his multi-million greenback Saudi Arabia deal.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, is set to earn huge money after being announced as a new ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation.
The 37-year-old has faced criticism over his determination to workforce up with them with many calling out the Middle Japanese nation for 'sportswashing'.
Tennis shouldn't be the one sport that has been targeted by Saudi Arabia who've invested heavily in football, golf, boxing and different sports.
'I've heard individuals say they've been criticising him,' world No.2 Alcaraz stated about Nadal.
'Nicely, Rafa has determined to be an envoy, I personally don't assume it's dangerous, he has signed up as a tennis ambassador.
'It's a country that is creating, what higher than Rafa getting in there to broaden the world of tennis to locations where it was by no means played earlier than.
'We gamers try to attract more individuals to observe tennis and there is no higher individual than Rafa to try this.'
Alcaraz is about to compete at the 'Six Kings Slam' occasion in Saudi Arabia alongside Nadal, Novak Djokovic and three different stars in October this yr.
The exhibition sees all six gamers obtain an appearance payment of £1.2m, with the winner incomes around £four.7m.
Former world No.1 Andy Roddick has raised considerations over how brining tennis to Saudi Arabia will impression LGBTQ+ players reminiscent of Daria Kasatkina, amid studies that the country might additionally host the WTA Finals.
'Homosexuality is prohibited [in Saudi Arabia] but we now have brazenly gay gamers,' Roddick stated. 'You already know, Kasatkina got here out final yr.
'If she goes there and plays, are we just telling her to take every week off of her sexuality? How can we shield our own players?
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'You recognize, their life decisions are seen as felony once they enter this place. How can we shield these mechanisms?
'And may whatever is claimed now be trusted when it's truly in apply?'
WTA world No.1 Iga Swiatek lately shared her own ideas on brining tennis to Saudi Arabia, admitting that it is 'not straightforward for ladies in these areas' but in addition acknowledging that the nation 'needs to enhance politically and sociologically'.
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