Rafael Nadal has agreed to become an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s state tennis federation amid criticism from some fans.

In his new role, the former world No. 1 and 22-time Grand Slam champion will promote tennis in the kingdom and open a Rafa Nadal Academy there.

“Everywhere you look in Saudi Arabia, you can see growth and progress and I’m excited to be part of that,” the 37-year-old Nadal, who pulled out of the Australian Open with a muscle injury, said in a statement. “I continue to play tennis as I love the game. But beyond playing I want to help the sport grow far and wide across the world and in Saudi there is real potential.

“The kids here today are looking to the future and have a real passion for all sports. If I can help them pick up a racquet or simply get fit and enjoy the benefits of healthy living, then I’ll be happy to have made a difference," he added.

The move marks the latest stride into tennis for Saudi Arabia, which is hosting the men's tour's Next Gen ATP Finals for top 21-and-under players in Jeddah through 2027. The women's tour has been in talks to place its season-ending WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia.

Because the kingdom has a poor record when it comes to women’s rights and gay rights — and was linked to the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi — Nadal is being criticized by some fans.

“I was the biggest Nadal fan ever,” one fan wrote on social media. “But I'm crying in my room right now knowing that he isn't the good guy which I thought he was. He sold himself for some oil money. I cannot go back to being the young kid who lived his wins like they were his own. It's over. I'm done with him.

Some fans of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic pointed out that if the Serb had made a similar announcement, he would be facing even more harsh criticism. Djokovic did, in fact, play an exhibition against Carlos Alcaraz last month in the Riyadh Season Tennis Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has made inroads in football, boxing and golf, and former world No. 1 John McEnroe has called it a slippery for tennis.

“Personally, I disagree with it completely, with the golf and the tennis,” he said in response to a question from me last week on an ESPN conference call. “The ladies are going to play the WTA Finals there? Are you kidding me? Because they treat women so well? That part is to me laughable.

“At the same time, which is also laughable, is the people that can criticize tennis players or golfers for doing something that virtually every business and the government do, which is deal with Saudi Arabia.”

Amid reports that the Saudis are looking to purchase the Miami Open and Madrid Open, McEnroe wasn’t shocked.

“I'd be surprised if the Saudis don't buy those tournaments, actually,” he said.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, a huge fan of Nadal’s as well as his friend, was asked at the Australian Open about the Spaniard’s latest move.

“I didn't know that this is the case,” she said. “Well, I feel like it's not black and white, everything that's going on, in the sport. It's hard for me to sum up in 1 sentence. There were a lot of rumors about WTA Finals going to Saudi. We're still waiting for the decision.

“It was always hard for me to say if it's good or not because it's not easy for women in these areas. Obviously these countries also want to change and improve politically and sociologically. It's not easy to decide. Also in terms of many events that were held, there were rumors about sportswashing.

“In my case, because I have nothing to do with Rafa and his decisions, it should be up to the federations and the governing bodies who decide if we're going to play there or not. If there would be some negative backlash, they should take the responsibility.

“For me it's hard to straightforwardly go one way and say anything.”

(The AP contributed reporting)