Bacardi which claims to be the largest privately owned spirits company, had signed up the world’s number one tennis player to lead its ‘Champions Drink Responsibly’ campaign.

Winner of nine Grand Slam tennis titles, the Spaniard will assist in spreading the message of responsible drinking through a “global multi-faceted communications campaign, using the likes of YouTube and Facebook.

“We are very excited to welcome Rafa to the Bacardi family as our new global social responsibility ambassador. Rafael Nadal is a world champion at the top of his game whose lifestyle and dedication reflects the values of our company and this campaign,” said Séamus McBride, Bacardi president and CEO.

“His global appeal makes him the perfect champion and role model to help us continue to spread the message that we should all know ‘where to draw the line’ when it comes to drinking. We are now building into the fourth year of the “Champions Drink Responsibly” campaign having launched with Michael Schumacher and we are delighted that Rafael has agreed to carry forth our campaign for the next few years,” said McBride.