What is protected ranking and how will it help Rafael Nadal at Australian Open?
Rafael Nadal will reportedly enter the Australian Open using a protected ranking rather than relying on a wild card.
Nadal will be in the unusual position of being unseeded when he plays in Melbourne this year after his ranking has dropped significantly over the past 12 months.
That’s because, of course, he spent most of 2023 recovering from a hip injury serious enough to spark speculation of retirement.
But what is a protected ranking? And why doesn’t Rafael Nadal or any other player need a wild card for the Australian Open?
Nadal using protected ranking for the Australian Open so no wild card needed there.
Other players using PR on the men’s singles list:
Marin Cilic (#21)Denis Shapovalov (#27)
Milos Raonic (#33)
Seung Woo Kwon ( #80) < br>Giri Vesely (#94)
And… Attila Balazs (#101).– Slavic (@josemorgado) 4. 2023 April 12
What is protected ranking and how will it help Rafael Nadal?
Protected rankings are a way within the ATP for players who have suffered long-term injuries to not have to start at the bottom upon their return.
Players can request protected rankings 6 months after their last match. If the ATP approves of this, he will be given a ranking for tournament entry based on his average position in the first three months after the injury.
However, protected rankings have limitations. First, you can only use it for the first nine tournaments or the first nine months after your return, whichever comes first. If injured for more than one year, the extension will be extended to 12 tournaments and 12 months.
Most importantly, protected rankings only apply to tournament participation, not seeding lists.
Rafael Nadal is therefore not seeded at the Australian Open and is unlikely to face a top player, most likely Novak Djokovic, in the first round in Melbourne.
READ NEXT: Rafael Nadal being unseeded will ‘be crazy’ claims Taylor Fritz
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