Saudi clash is off

NOVAK Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s controversial exhibition match in Saudi Arabia next month has been called off after the Spaniard underwent surgery.

Both players were heavily criticised for agreeing to the lucrative contest in light of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, with the exhibition announced less than a week after journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Talking about the event at last week’s Paris Masters, both men said they committed to it a year ago and needed more information before making a final decision about taking part.

But Nadal’s ankle surgery earlier this week means a politically-sensitive decision has been taken out of their hands.