<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2djtNb_0wKetdGL00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2djtNb_0wKetdGL00" width="1600" height="900" ><p>Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in dominating global sports, including tennis, has become a worry for fans in recent years. Despite their poor human rights record, they have continued to invest huge money into the sport. </p><p>Early this year, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) agreed on a deal with the ATP to sponsor the body’s rankings and host the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah. It also had an agreement with the WTA, that will see the prestigious year-end Finals played in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital.</p><div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-jWy1jbKRVw?showinfo=0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div><p>Before that, Rafael Nadal was announced as an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation. The Spaniard had promised that he would open a branch of his Academy in the Middle East country. These moves have come under serious criticism this year, with many pundits calling it sport washing.</p><p>Nevertheless, Nadal has revealed that despite the moves being seen in a negative light, they will also achieve good results in the future. He added that events being hosted in the country will also make people accept Saudi culture.</p><blockquote><p>People call it sportwashing and of course there is a part of that, but the other part is that really thanks to all of that, people who have been locked up in this country and have not been able to see a different world , thanks to all the tourists who are coming, to all the events that are taking place here throughout the year, see another world, other cultures, and they have the ability to really move forward.</p><p>Rafael Nadal said (via as.com) </p></blockquote><p>Recently, Nadal competed in the Six Kings Slam exhibition event hosted in Riyadh. The 38-year-old finished fourth after losing to Novak Djokovic. He was later handed a one-of-a-kind golden racket that has been reported to be valued at around $270,000.</p><h2>Rafael Nadal focused on positive changes to Saudi Arabia rather than criticism </h2><p>Rafael Nadal has revealed that the criticism about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record wouldn’t change unless someone does something about it. The Spaniard received backlash after becoming the country’s ambassador for the Tennis Federation in January.</p><blockquote><p>But we must not lose perspective. You come here and what do you think? Are you doing good or bad? Because the only problem in the end is that you get paid for it. Because, really, by coming here, you help the country. And those who speak in such a drastic way against the country, very well.</p><p>Rafael Nadal said </p></blockquote></div></body>

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Rafael Nadal ‘optimistic’ of Saudi Arabia’s ‘sports washing’ will do good in the longer run

Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in dominating global sports, including tennis, has become a worry for fans in recent years. Despite their poor human rights record, they have continued to invest huge money into the sport. Early this year, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) agreed on a deal with...