Novak and Rafa defend Saudi jaunt
RafaEl nadal and novak djokovic were singing from the same hymn sheet yesterday as they tried to minimise the public relations damage from their forthcoming exhibition match in Saudi arabia.
Instead of discussing how they are vying for the world no 1 position at this week’s Rolex Paris Masters, the duo had to defend their lucrative contest in Jeddah, scheduled for december 22.
The venture has been condemned by amnesty International but both players pointed out that they committed to the match a year ago, long before the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi focused attention on the Saudi regime.
They echoed each other in saying they needed more information about the matter, although quite what could reverse the situation is unclear. Industry sources suggest their fee from the Saudi government would be a minimum of $1million each.
‘Of course I’m aware of what’s happening and it’s sad,’ said djokovic. ‘My team right now is in touch with the people in Saudi arabia as well as Rafa’s and 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.
‘It’s a commitment and I’ve always tried to be professional and respectful towards people that I have a commitment with.’
nadal struck a parallel tone: ‘I had a commitment since one year ago. My team is talking to them, to analyse things. It’s terrible that one journalist lost their life. I know something happened very bad inside there. I hope things will clarify as soon as possible.’
nadal has built up a longstanding reputation as a humanitarian, as has djokovic. Only this month the Spaniard helped relief efforts after the flooding on his home island of Majorca, and he has clearly been shaken by events.
‘It was terrible all the things that happen in the village next to my house,’ he said with emotion in his voice. ‘I had the chance to be there the day after the disaster and if you were not there, you can’t imagine how the things were inside that village.
‘Some people who passed away, especially the mother and the son, I know them. They are cousins of one of my best friends.’
nadal is to stage a match in december to raise funds for those whose lives have been destroyed. That month could be very much a tale of two exhibitions.
Meanwhile, andre agassi has been tempted back into tennis by helping out with the coaching of Bulgarian Grigor dimitrov.
‘ I asked andre to join us,’ dimitrov’s coach dani Vallverdu told Sportsmail. ‘Both Grigor and I think he can help in a few areas, he has known him well since the juniors and they have spent time together.’