Amnesty Int'l calls for Djokovic, Nadal to bring attention to Saudi Arabia's "truly appalling" human rights record.GETTY IMAGES
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have been warned that their participation in an exhibition in Saudi Arabia in December could be used by the country’s controversial regime as "a form of sportswashing," according to Stuart Fraser of the LONDON TIMES. Amnesty Int'l called on both players to use their global popularity to bring attention to the "truly appalling" human rights record of Saudi Arabia. This comes in the aftermath of the disappearance and alleged murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Only one day after the news about Khashoggi emerged, the exhibition match, titled the King Salman Tennis Championship, between Nadal and Djokovic in Jeddah on Dec. 22 was revealed. Tweets by both players "received a negative reaction from many of their followers, with some questioning the timing of the announcement." Nadal and Djokovic will each receive a multimillion-dollar sum for their participation in an event that is "part of a concerted effort by the Saudi regime to use sport to enhance its reputation and re-invent a conservative image." Amnesty Int'l UK Head of Advocacy & Programs Allan Hogarth said, "It's not for us to say which countries should and shouldn't be hosting sporting competitions, but it's also clear that countries like Saudi Arabia are well aware of the potential for sport to subtly rebrand a country" (LONDON TIMES, 10/18).
