Rafael Nadal, the legendary tennis player, recently received a special gift in Saudi Arabia after a match in the Six Kings Slam tournament. At the same time, he defended the event against criticism.
Nadal Receives a Gold Racket Worth 250,000 Euros in Saudi Arabia
Turki Al Sheikh, Royal Advisor of Saudi Arabia, presented Nadal with a racket made entirely of pure gold. The racket is standard-sized, weighs 3 kg, and is estimated to be worth around 250,000 euros. This gift is considered a tribute to Nadal‘s legacy in the world of tennis.
Controversy Over Six Kings Slam and Nadal’s Response
The exhibition tournament Six Kings Slam, held in Saudi Arabia, has drawn attention not only because of its substantial prize money but also due to several controversies from the international tennis community. The tournament features top players such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev, but it has also faced criticism.
In response to allegations that Saudi Arabia is using sports to boost its image, Nadal defended the tournament. In an interview with AS (Spain), Nadal candidly shared: “Some call it ‘sportwashing’ (using sports to promote an image), and of course, there is some truth to that. But on the other hand, organizing events like this gives the country an opportunity to progress, embrace different cultures, and develop tourism.”
Nadal emphasized that hosting international events is a way to bring about positive change, rather than keeping the country isolated: “We need to understand that change can’t happen 100% overnight. Everything needs to be gradual. By participating, we are helping them to progress faster.”
Nadal’s Final Singles Matches Before Retirement
As an Ambassador for the Saudi Arabia Tennis Federation, Nadal acknowledged that he does not deny receiving compensation for participating in the tournament but also affirmed that his and other players’ involvement brings significant benefits to the country.
In addition to the valuable gold racket, Nadal received a check for 1.5 million USD for his participation in the Six Kings Slam. This tournament also marks some of Nadal’s final singles matches, as the 22-time Grand Slam champion is preparing to retire after the Davis Cup team event.
