Carlos Alcaraz has backed Rafael Nadal’s decision to represent the Saudi Arabian Tennis Federation as an ambassador, despite criticism from both tennis fans and those opposed to the nation’s autocratic regime.
When it was revealed in a joint statement that Nadal had partnered with the Saudi Tennis Federation to advance tennis in the nation, it created a lot of controversy.
When questioned about additional events occurring in Saudi Arabia besides Nadal’s move, Alcaraz said: “It’s good for tennis to have more venues, to open up to countries where we go and play a little. Saudi Arabia is a country that is evolving very rapidly in every way, both as a country and in the world of sports. There are many football events, boxing, and now tennis. I think it’s good for sports in general. I don’t know how far we’ll go, but it’s evolving a lot.”
He further added: “Regarding Rafa, it’s true that I’ve heard people say they’ve been criticizing him, but in the end, Rafa has decided to sign as an ambassador. I don’t think it’s bad; if I’m not mistaken, he’s signed as a tennis ambassador. It’s a country that is developing and opening up to the world of sports, and what better way than for Rafa to be the one who can expand the world of sports to places where it was never played before? We play and try to attract more people to play tennis, and there is no better person than Rafa to expand that world.”
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
LWLLWWWWWW Now the world no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 24th of January when he lost to world no.6 Alexander Zverev 6-1 6-3 6-7(2) 6-4 in the quarter of the Australian Open (draw).
Until now, during this year the Spaniard has a compiled 4-1 match record.
Alcaraz is scheduled to compete next in Rio De Janeiro (Rio Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 19th of February.
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Now ranked no.646, Rafael played his last match on the 5th of January when he was defeated by world no.42 Jordan Thompson 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3 in the quarter in Brisbane (draw).
At present, during this year Rafael has an overall 2-1 win-loss record.
Nadal will compete next in Doha (Qatar ExxonMobil Open). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 19th of February.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal squared off 3 times. Their actual head to head record is 2-1 for Nadal. Previously, the last time they played, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-2 1-6 6-3 in the quarter in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) in May 2022.
Here are the highlights.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal |
| Embed from Getty Images |
