Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are scheduled to play an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia on Dec. 22, but both players told reporters this week that they are still considering whether or not they actually want to go forward with the event.
The uncertainty of the world’s top two tennis players stems from the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed after entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul early last month.
Nadal, Djokovic Avoid Committal Answers
When reporters questioned the two players about their plans for the match, which is scheduled to take place in Jeddah, they acknowledged the situation has changed without actually committing to a course of action.
“Of course I know, I’m aware of what’s happening, and it’s sad, of course,” Djokovic said at a press conference before the Paris Masters. “My team right now is in touch with the people in Saudi Arabia as well as Rafa’s and of course we are all talking to understand the situation better. Because right now we just don’t have enough information, and we have to look into that a bit more and then we’ll make our decision soon.”
Nadal offered a similar response, pointing out that the players agreed to the match well in advance.
“Of course I’m aware of the situation. But I had a commitment since one year ago to play there,” Nadal told reporters. “It’s terrible that one journalist lost [his] life. I know something happened very bad inside there. So we are looking about how evolves the situation and I hope the things will clarify as soon as possible.”
Federer Turned Down Saudi Offer
Amnesty International has asked the two players not to participate in the match, which is named the King Salman Tennis Championship. Saudi Arabia also approached 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer to play in the exhibition, but the Swiss legend says he refused the invitation.
“I didn’t want to play there at that time,” Federer told reporters, saying that he prefers to train rather than play matches during that part of the offseason. “So, for me, it was a very quick decision.”
The tennis match is yet another example of efforts by Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority to stage high-profile sporting events as part of the Vision 2030 program, which is designed to diversify the nation’s economy and turn the country into a center for international investment.
But Khashoggi’s death has caused many planned events in Saudi Arabia to be scrutinized over the last month.
One of the biggest examples has been the WWE’s Crown Jewel wrestling show, which will be taking place on Friday in Riyadh. While there was speculation that the event might be cancelled or moved to another location, WWE officials ultimately decided to go on as scheduled, citing contractual obligations. However, the company has conspicuously gone out of its way not to mention Saudi Arabia in its advertising, and two of the promotion’s popular stars – John Cena and Daniel Bryan – have refused to take part in the card.
