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Former Tennis Legend Foresees How Rafael Nadal Benefits From His Enticing Deal With the Saudis

Published 02/22/2024, 4:45 AM EST

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Rafael Nadal found himself surrounded by a big controversy as he agreed to accept the ambassadorship for Saudi Arabia tennis. While the tennis star mentioned that he signed the deal with all good intentions to spread the boundaries of his impact on the tennis world, his actions seemed to be justified.

Besides knowing that the tennis star will be accompanying Novak Djokovic and other players to take part in the ‘King Slam’, Swedish tennis pro-Mats Wilander recently hinted that the Rafael Nadal Academy can find its new location in Saudi Arabia.

Mats Wilander hints at the opening of Rafael Nadal Academy in Saudi Arabia

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Legendary tennis player Rafael Nadal is speculated to expand his influence by opening a tennis academy in Saudi Arabia. This update came after Nadal agreed to serve as an ambassador for the kingdom’s tennis federation. While Mats Wilander dropped a strong hint at the opening of the institution, he expressed optimism about the impact it could have on the sport.

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Wilander, speaking on a recent podcast, highlighted the potential for Nadal’s academy to drive growth in tennis. He said, “Rafael Nadal probably wants to, Rafael Nadal tennis academy, probably is on point, which will then make the sport grow. The only thing you would like to see some good Saudi Arabian tennis players come out and they may be breaking the culture, then suddenly start to become very legit.”

The collaboration between Nadal and Saudi Arabia seems to give rise to a broader trend of global expansion in tennis. As it can prove to be highly efficient for players and organizations seeking to reach new heights, the idea of establishing his academy in Saudi Arabia can surely be fruitful.

Wilander’s consistent admiration for Rafa

This isn’t the first time when Mats Wilander came in support of Rafael Nadal’s enduring legacy in the tennis world. Back when the tennis star reappeared in Brisbane this year, Wilander expressed his excitement to see him back.

“To see him play one more time in Brisbane was brilliant, to see the passion, to see him sweating like nobody else,” he said.

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Along with mentioning the glorious moment of seeing Rafa play once again, the Swedish pro also gave out his deep admiration for the Spaniard, stating, “He’s one of the greatest players of all time, and maybe the most important professional tennis player of all time.”

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As the 59-year-old dropped a major hint at the opening of Rafael Nadal Academy in Saudi Arabia, it still remains to be seen if fans continue to criticize the move or turn their thoughts into support for an impactful cause.

Watch this story: Mike Tyson’s daughter takes the next big step in her tennis dream as she interacts with American star Sofia Kenin

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Written by:

Akshay Kapoor

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Akshay Kapoor, a tennis writer at EssentiallySports, excels in crafting pieces that set new trends. His analytical skills riding on the back of certification in Digital Marketing help inject in-depth research as he covers the business undertakings of Tennis stars. Akshay’s articles touch the entire tennis spectrum, from iconic figures like Djokovic and emerging talents such as Holger Rune and Coco Gauff.
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Edited by:

Ananya Giri