Rafael Nadal enters the debate on the use of the discord bracelet in Qatar: “Sport is a place of expression because it has global visibility”

Nadal is already in Chile. The world number two touched down in Santiago and started a busy day before his exhibition on Friday against Alejandro Tabilo in San Carlos de Apoquindo. The first of those instances was a lengthy press conference where he touched on such diverse topics as when he arrives on this South American tour, the complex situations he’s been through over the year and the Cup World Cup Qatar 2022.

This last point was one of the most powerful in the series of questions, as the current Australian Open and Roland Garros champion spoke directly about the complex human rights situations that have been experiences in the Arab country and how FIFA handled the protests. of different teams.

“I don’t have all the information to give a clear opinion, but it is clear that we live in a global world where people have more rights and I understand that sport is a place of great media exposure to show this kind of things and in this I understand that everyone must have the freedom to be able to express the things and feelings they have, without harming others. The decisions that FIFA makes or does not make may seem better or worse to me, but in the end these are the rules or the attitudes that it wants to adopt. People deserve their space to be able to express themselves and show their disagreement and that’s what happens. El deporte es un lugar para expresarse porque tiene una exposición mundial, pero más allá de eso para mí es important que jugando al fútbol o al tenis ends, y que todo lo demás sea una plataforma para mjorar el mundo, pero que lo principal sea the sport said the world number two.

He also gave his thoughts on the year in review, pointing out that despite the problems, the end result is positive considering he won two Grand Slams throughout the season. “There were different stages in the season, the first very good winning the Australian Open, Acapulco then comes the injury to Indian Wells and a series of injuries, but still, if you take a general review of the season, I think at this very moment in my career, to have won two Grand Slams and finished second in the standings is a great achievement. Later, internal evaluations will be done to see what has been done better, worse and what needs to be improved. In the end, a season, beyond the physical, with what has been won will always be good “, began to tell the Spaniard.

Regarding when he arrives on this year-end tour and the feelings regarding his return to South America, it was very clear. “It was not a physically heavy season, it was mentally heavy in terms of injuries. As for the matches, it was very light. The fact of being here motivates me above all. Being with teammates, playing in front of an audience with whom we have a very close relationship because of the language. In Latin America, sport is lived in a very particular way and playing in front of audiences with which I hardly ever play has a very particular meaning for me. Each time I have been to this part of the world, I have left with many memories. “, he added.

But Nadal didn’t just talk about himself and also had words for the rival he will have on Friday night in the foothills. “Facing Alejandro here in Chile has a special meaning, hope the audience will have a good time and we will do our best to try to give the best show “, he concluded.