Rafael Nadal has expressed his reaction to the violence that accompanied the Catalan independence vote yesterday, calling for peaceful dialogue instead.
The Mallorcan speaks Catalan and has previously said he does not favor independence for the region to which he has ties. He watched events in Spain from Beijing and spoke of his "concern and sadness" following violence between police and voters in the controversial ballot that has been opposed by the Spanish government.
"I want to cry when I see a country, where we know to co-exist and have been a good example to the rest of the world, in this position," he told press in Beijing, speaking in Spanish. "I think the image we presented to the world is negative.
"There have been people who wanted to use the manipulating of information to inflame... society. It has generated chaos that should not happen in this era. We are a peaceful country."
Nadal called for political leaders to change their approach to avoid such confrontations. "It is time for sense from all sides. But that requires goodwill from both sides, and not just one of the sides. It is time to sit, talk, and reach [agreement] about the points of conflict.
"And do not repeat. Do not repeat what happened yesterday because it was a sad moment."
The No. 1 also again denounced extremism and encouraged others to oppose it by peaceful means.
"I have spent a lot of time in Catalonia, important moments," he said. "To see society in general, not just Catalonia, so radicalized, surprises and disappoints me.
"It is the moment to have illusion, and seek hope. From dialogue there can be a solution."