Rafael Nadal may be absent from the 2024 Australian Open, but the Spanish legend is still being honored for his phenomenal achievements.
Nadal made his return from nearly a year out with a hip injury at the Brisbane International. He progressed to the quarterfinal but then lost a very tight contest with Jordan Thompson in three sets.
Unfortunately, the 22-time Grand Slam champion suffered a muscle injury in the same area as his hip injury. This led to Nadal withdrawing from the 2024 Australian Open to avoid possibly aggravating the injury further.
However, there has been some positive potential good news for fans of the Spaniard. A former British No. 1, Laura Robson, found out from some Spanish coaches that Nadal wants to restart in Doha. That event is set to take place next month.
The 37-year-old has also been keeping himself busy off-court. For example, Nadal became an ambassador for the Saudi Arabian Tennis Federation. This move was somewhat controversial, with Nadal coming under fire due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
Nadal's illustrious career will continue to be honored regardless. Local South Korean sculptor Gustavo Balboa crafted a steel statue as a tribute to the 14-time French Open champion and all his achievements.
Balboa created this for the automobile manufacturer Kia to honor Nadal. The legendary Spaniard has been a brand ambassador for Kia since 2004, and the company has also been the primary sponsor of the Australian Open since 2002.
The statue constructed by Balboa is 2.5 meters tall. It is made from durable steel and recycled materials, and it captures the essence of Nadal hitting his famous and unique forehand.
It is a nice way for Kia to mark 20 years of their partnership with Nadal. The loyalty that the tennis great has shown Kia has been rewarded with this gesture.
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