Rafael Nadal

Nadal became an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation as part of the kingdom's sporting expansion. The decision prompted sportswashing criticism relating to Saudi Arabia's human rights record. Nadal acknowledged being paid and understanding why some might feel he had 'sold out', while defending the possibility of helping the country open up.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

While Djokovic was detained in Australia amid a dispute over his vaccination exemption, Nadal said he understood the frustration but that the Serbian player had made a choice and had to accept the consequences, adding that he could have been vaccinated and played without difficulty if he had wanted to.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Asked about equal prize money, Nadal argued that remuneration should depend on revenue or audiences generated, using, among other examples, a comparison with male and female models. His comments drew criticism for their wording and impact on the equality debate in sport.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Former French minister Roselyne Bachelot alleged that Nadal's lengthy absence in 2012 concealed a doping suspension. Nadal sued her for defamation in France and prevailed; Bachelot was ordered to pay him €12,000 in damages.

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist is the victim

Nadal opposed the Catalan independence referendum, which he regarded as contrary to law and the constitutional order. After police violence on 1 October, he said he had felt like crying and called for political leaders to engage in dialogue.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Fancy Bears' hacking of the WADA database exposed therapeutic use exemptions granted to Nadal for certain medications. The leak fuelled doping suspicions despite the authorised nature of the treatments.

Nadal was targeted by several doping insinuations, notably following remarks by Yannick Noah and satire on French television, followed by comments from other former players. These allegations circulated widely despite the absence of any known positive test.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Companies linked to Nadal had been domiciled in San Sebastián and benefited from a favourable local tax regime. Following a review, their tax domicile was transferred to the Balearic Islands and tax regularisation involving several million euros was reported, prompting controversy in Spain over tax optimisation.

State of the evidence

Documented