Rafael Nadal is the Global Ambassador of the Saudi Arabia Tennis Federation

On January 15, Spanish tennis superstar Rafael Nadal officially became the Global Ambassador of the Saudi Arabia Tennis Federation (STF).

Rafael Nadal là Đại sứ toàn cầu của Liên đoàn Quần vợt Saudi Arabia

Tennis player Rafael Nadal becomes STF Global Ambassador. (Source: Sportskeeda)

The event comes as the Gulf kingdom aims to host more professional tournaments to boost its sports sector.

Speaking after receiving the honor, the 37-year-old tennis player and owner of 22 Grand Slam titles emphasized: “Everywhere in Saudi Arabia, you can see growth and progress. I am very happy to be a part of that.

I continue to play tennis because I love the sport. Also, I want to help tennis grow around the world and Saudi Arabia has real potential to do that."

The agreement reached between Nadal and the STF is part of a long-term commitment to inspire and develop a new generation of tennis players in the Middle Eastern country.

According to the STF, Nadal will be in Saudi Arabia for a certain period of time each year, possibly participating in or organizing tournaments, as well as developing the Rafa Nadal Academy to promote tennis there. The STF's goal is to increase interest in tennis among the country's youth.

Saudi Arabia now has 177 tennis clubs, up 146% since 2019. The number of tennis players in the country has increased by 46% in the past four years, to 2,300, of which 50% are children under 14 years old.

The STF is expected to host the Masters 1,000 event here from 2025, if agreements with the International Tennis Association (ATP) are approved this year.

Before choosing Nadal as ambassador, STF invited famous tennis players Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic to perform before this season.

They will also welcome many stars in the future when they host the Next Gen ATP Finals until 2027. STF also has ambitions to organize a series of super tournament events including all 4 Grand Slams and 9 Masters 1,000.

Sport is a key pillar of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform program, which aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a world-class tourism and trade hub and reduce the world's largest crude oil exporter's dependence on fossil fuels.

Saudi Arabia is building a new Formula 1 (F1) mega-complex, scheduled to open in 2028. The Gulf state has also invited world-class golfers Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and John Ram to join its LIV Golf tournament system.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian football clubs continuously recruit stars from Europe, including the world's highest salary ($200 million/year) for Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

The huge financial resources have helped the Saudi Arabian Football Federation recently confidently submit a proposal to UEFA to participate in the Champions League, starting from the 2024/25 season in the form of paying to compete. In addition, this country was also chosen to be the host of the 2034 World Cup.

( according to VNA )

Source