AMNESTY International has urged Rafael Nadal to use his new role as ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation (STF) as a platform to speak out on human rights.

Nadal, 37, has taken up the role as part of the STF’s “long-term commitment to help grow the sport and inspire a new generation of athletes” in the Gulf kingdom.

The Spaniard, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, said he wanted to help the sport’s continued development across the world — and that “in Saudi there is real potential.”

Under the partnership, Nadal, who missed the Australian Open through injury, will also open an academy in Riyadh.

Human rights campaign group Amnesty International want the tennis star to use his new position to challenge concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

“Rafa Nadal’s new role is just the latest chapter in Saudi Arabia’s relentless sportswashing operation,” said Amnesty International UK’s economic affairs director Peter Frankental.

“From tennis to football, golf and boxing, the Saudi authorities have spent billions in their efforts to rebrand the country as a sporting superpower and deflect attention from an appalling human rights record.

“As with other sporting stars taking well-paid jobs in Saudi Arabia, we would urge Nadal to speak out about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, offering an important message of solidarity with the country’s jailed human rights defenders.”