Nadal ‘disheartened’ at events in Catalonia

Rafael Nadal has expressed sadness and concern following Catalonia’s independence referendum on Sunday.

According to Catalan medics, as many as 844 people were injured as they flocked to the polls to cast their vote on the region’s right to separate from Spain.

Spanish police forces in Madrid reportedly used batons and rubber bullets to prevent citizens from voting; they also forcefully seized ballot papers and boxes at polling stations. 

Nadal, a 16-time Grand Slam champion and 10-time winner of the Barcelona Open, spoke out against the violence at the China Open in Beijing.

“I want to cry when I see a country where we have known how to co-exist and be a good example to the rest of the world get to a situation like this,” he said.

“I think the image we have presented to the world is negative.

“It was a sad moment, my heart sank all day. I have spent many parts of my life in Catalonia, important moments, and to see society so radicalised surprises and disheartens me.”

Nadal was born in Mallorca but has spent significant time in Catalonia and speaks the language fluently.