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Why this photo of Nadal and Djokovic has sparked controversy

This seemingly normal photo of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic has caused an angry backlash from fans.

The photo was used in a tweet last week, announcing that Nadal and Djokovic would play an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia in December.

However it’s not specifically the photo that’s caused the anger, but the fact that the tennis superstars are endorsing Saudi Arabia amid growing controversy surrounding the Middle Eastern nation.

The image was tweeted to announce Nadal and Djokovic’s match in Saudi Arabia.
The image was tweeted to announce Nadal and Djokovic’s match in Saudi Arabia.

Nadal and Djokovic both retweeted the announcement, with the World No.1 Nadal saying: “Thanks for the invitation and looking forward to playing and visiting for the first time.”

“Looking forward to playing and visiting this beautiful country. Thank you for the invitation, see you guys soon!” Djokovic said.

Why is Saudi Arabia under scrutiny?

Pressure has mounted on Saudi Arabia since prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident, Washington Post columnist and critic of Saudi policies, went missing.

He was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

A team of Turkish police investigating the disappearance spent more than nine hours in the building on Tuesday, a Reuters witness said.

Khashoggi, a leading critic of the powerful Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, vanished after entering the consulate to get marriage documents.

Turkish officials say they believe he was murdered there and his body removed.

A Turkish crime scene investigation team member leaves as he and other team members completed the inspection of the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul. (Photo by Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
A Turkish crime scene investigation team member leaves as he and other team members completed the inspection of the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul. (Photo by Sebnem Coskun/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Fans call on Nadal and Djokovic to reconsider

The scandal, as well as ongoing criticism of Saudi Arabia’s politics, human right record and treatment of women, led to fans questioning why Nadal and Djokovic would play there.

Deadspin journalist Laura Wagner also called on the tennis superstars to pull out of the event.

“Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, two incredibly popular athletes who don’t need to consult with teammates or colleagues in order to make a decision about their participation, are in the ideal position to pull out of the match and make a statement about how the world should view Saudi Arabia,” she wrote.

WWE also under fire over Saudi Arabia events

World Wrestling Entertainment recently signed a 10-year partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s “Saudi Vision 2030,” a plan created to increase tourism to the nation and reduce its dependency on oil.

As part of this deal, the WWE will produce a number of events in the country.

On April 27, the WWE’s “Greatest Royal Rumble” was broadcast live from the King Abdullah International Stadium in Jeddah.

The second event of the partnership “Crown Jewel” is set to take place in Saudi Arabia on November 2, and will feature many wrestlers including Glenn Jacobs — the newly elected mayor of Knox County, Tennessee — who wrestles in the WWE as Kane.

John Cena (R) competes with Triple H during the WWE Greatest Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)
John Cena (R) competes with Triple H during the WWE Greatest Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP)

And WWE’s November event is still on the calendar, despite mounting criticism for not backing out amid Khashoggi’s disappearance.

Recent critics of WWE include Senator Lindsey Graham, who said there should be “a pause” in WWE’s relationship with the Saudis.

Comedian John Oliver roasted WWE on his HBO show “Last Week Tonight,” showing clips of WWE wrestlers and personnel including perennial icon John Cena praising the Kingdom despite its terrible human rights record.

WWE is a publicly traded company that has to answer to its shareholders and canceling an event the size and scope of “Crown Jewel” could cost the company millions. So it might not be that easy for WWE to just pull out of the event.

The last time WWE was in Saudi Arabia, the wrestling company bent to Saudi Arabian law by agreeing to leave its female wrestlers off of the show.

With Reuters and Yahoo Finance