Rafael Nadal stressed that he committed to playing in the match prior to the growing tensions.GETTY IMAGES
Tennis’ two top-ranked men, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, "expressed doubts on Sunday about their planned exhibition match in Saudi Arabia in December," according to Simon Briggs of the London TELEGRAPH. But they also confirmed they have "yet to withdraw." Earlier this month, journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a "high-profile critic" of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was assassinated in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Critics such as Amnesty Int'l warned that if Nadal and Djokovic go ahead with the multi-million dollar match on Dec. 22, they will "lend credibility to an embattled regime." Yet both players' responses on Sunday suggested that the contracts "were signed a long time ago." Nadal said, "I had a commitment since one year to play there. ... We are looking about how the situation evolves and I hope the things will clarify as soon as possible." Djokovic said, "I don't like to involve myself in any political exchange or situations. It's unfortunate that we are both drawn into this right now" (TELEGRAPH, 10/28).
