Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach, attracted attention when he spoke out in favor of the Spaniard over his controversial participation in an agreement with Saudi Arabia. Adding fuel to the fire, Toni recently made a statement to the sporting community comparing the Spaniard’s current situation to a historical event that caused quite a stir.
The Saudi Tennis Federation’s choice to have Nadal act as its brand ambassador has sparked a discussion with reasons for and against it. But Toni’s remarks on the subject gave it a much more heated twist.
Nadal’s supporters are devastated by his partnership with Saudi Arabia to improve tennis. His morality and honesty are now being questioned. In her remarks on the subject, Toni gave an example of the assistance that Americans gave to Spain during the Franco era.
Toni said in an interview recently: “How do you help improve a country more by boycotting Saudi Arabia or helping its young people? This is the same as when the Americans included us, during the Franco era, in the famous Marshall Plan to contribute economically to the modernization of our country. They thought that Franco and his regime were one thing, and the citizens were another.”
America’s financial support for Spain’s development allowed it to flourish and emerge from the authoritarian rules imposed by Franco. Rafa’s presence in Saudi Arabia, in Toni’s opinion, can therefore also contribute to the growth and development of the sporting community.
He added: “My nephew was offered to try to get young people to do sports in that country. Rafa believes that what he can contribute can help change and improve society and the lives of many young people, just as if he did it in Cuba or Venezuela.”
Rafael Nadal in 2024
At the moment ranked no.654, Rafael played his last match on the 5th of January when he was overcome by world no.32 Jordan Thompson 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3 in the quarter in Brisbane (draw).
Currently, during this season Rafael achieved a compiled 2-1 win-loss record.
He is also scheduled to play in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) on the 6th of March and Barcelona (Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell) on the 15th of April.
Rafael Nadal |
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