Nadal and Djokovic reevaluating exhibition in Saudi Arabia

[October 30, 2018]    Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are reevaluating their upcoming exhibition in Saudi Arabia following the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi earlier this month at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

Their multimillion-dollar match, scheduled for Dec. 22 at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, has been criticized by Amnesty International for lending credibility to an embattled Saudi regime.

The world's two top-ranked players addressed the situation for the first time Sunday in Paris, where they are competing this week in the ATP's Rolex Paris Masters tournament.

"I had a commitment since one year to play there," Nadal said. "It's terrible that one journalist lost their life. I know something happened very bad inside there [the consulate]. So we are looking about how the situation evolves and I hope the things will clarify as soon as possible."

Djokovic issued a similar response.

"It's unfortunate that we are both drawn into this right now," he said. "I'm aware of what's happening, and it's sad, of course. I've been always trying to be very professional and respectful towards people that I have commitments with. We have to get more information on what's happening so we can make a rational decision whether it's good to go or not."

Khashoggi, an outspoken critic of the Saudi government, entered the consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. After initially claiming that the writer had left the building alive, Saudi officials have since admitted that he was killed.

--Field Level Media

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