2024-01-15 22:00:03
The Saudi Tennis Federation announced a new partnership with Spanish star Rafael Nadal, under which the icon of the world of tennis and sports became an “ambassador of the federation” with the aim of inspiring the next generation and spreading and developing the sport of yellow ball in the Kingdom.
Nadal praised Saudi Arabia’s “potential” to become a stronghold of sports in the future, as Saudi Arabia aims to host more professional tournaments as part of a broader sports push.
“Everywhere you look in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, you can see growth and progress and I am excited to be a part of that,” the 37-year-old Spanish matador, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, said in a press release from the Saudi Federation.
He added, “I still play tennis because I love the game. But away from playing, I want to help this sport grow on a large scale around the world, and in Saudi Arabia there is real potential.”
Nadal was scheduled to participate in the currently ongoing Australian Open tournament following being absent from the field since his exit in the second round of the same tournament last year, but following winning his first two matches since his return at the beginning of this year by participating in the Brisbane tournament, he lost the third and suffered a muscle tear and was forced to return. Withdrawing from the first major tournament this year.
The partnership includes the establishment of a tennis academy called “Rafa Nadal,” which will provide high-level facilities and the latest training methods to nurture talent. It will serve as a center of excellence to help ambitious players achieve their dreams in the world of tennis.
The President of the Saudi Tennis Federation, Areej Al-Mutabaqani, explained that Nadal “embodies the true champion on and off the court, especially since he is simply the ideal model that young people should aspire to, and that his dedication to training and commitment are values that we hope to instill in the stars of the future,” noting that the Kingdom has become home to the greatest… International sporting events in light of Saudi Vision 2030, and the ongoing social and economic transformation that the Kingdom is witnessing.
Nadal explained: “The academy in Diriyah is a long-term project with a commitment to tennis and the Kingdom. As a place of learning, it will accelerate the pace of those who are on their own journey in tennis, and give players an ideal environment to learn and develop their competitiveness.”
The Spaniard, who recently visited a youth tennis academy, continued, “The children are looking to the future and I saw that they are passionate regarding sports. I want to encourage them to pick up the racket and enjoy a healthy life.”
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