Rafael Nadal announced as ambassador for Saudi Tennis Federation

Rafael Nadal has been named ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation as doubts surround the playing future of the Spanish legend.

Nadal withdrew from the Australian Open on the eve of the tournament after suffering a fresh hip injury.

The 37-year-old had only just returned to the court in Brisbane after nearly a year on the sidelines following hip surgery.

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The 22-time grand slam champion remains confident of returning to the court for what looks likely to be his last year on the tour.

Nadal appears to already be planning for retirement life after taking on the new role.

He recently visited a junior tennis clinic in Riyadh and his new role will include “dedicated time in the kingdom each year” to grow the sport, the Saudi federation said on Monday.

“Everywhere you look in Saudi Arabia, you can see growth and progress and I’m excited to be part of that,” Nadal said in a press release.

“I continue to play tennis as I love the game. But beyond playing I want to help the sport grow far and wide across the world and in Saudi there is real potential.”

Nadal added on X (formerly Twitter): “The kids are looking to the future and I saw they are passionate about sports … I want to encourage them to pick up a racquet and enjoy the benefits of a healthy living.”

The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia continue to make a splash in tennis.

Last year they hosted their first ATP Tour event — the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah — and closed out the year with exhibition matches pitting Novak Djokovic against Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka against Ons Jabeur.

There are also reports the nation are keen to purchase high-profile tennis tournaments, such as the Miami Open and Madrid Open.

And there is growing speculation the WTA season-ending finals are headed to Saudi Arabia as early as this year, which has shocked seven-time grand slam champion John McEnroe.

“Personally, I disagree with it completely, with the golf and the tennis,” McEnroe said ahead of the Australian Open

“The ladies are going to play the WTA Finals there? Are you kidding me?

“Because they treat women so well? That part is to me laughable.”