Rafael Nadal will reportedly use a protected ranking to enter the 2024 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of his comeback season. Therefore, he will not need a wild card.
The Spaniard will start his year at the Brisbane International, where he will be joined by Andy Murray, Naomi Osaka and other big stars. He is currently outside the top 600 of the ATP rankings, and is therefore ineligible to enter or even qualify for the main draw of the Melbourne Major.
Nadal was last in action at the 2023 Australian Open, where he exited in the second round and suffered a hip strain in the process. The extended time on the sidelines meant the 22-time Grand Slam champion would either have to use one of his protected ranking slots or wait for a wild card from tournament officials.
But as reported by journalist José Morgado, he has decided to use the former.
According to ATP rules, a player returning from injury may use the reserved ranking in their first 12 singles or doubles tournaments. However, it should be noted that Nadal cannot use it to get a seeding at the Australian Open, and will remain an unseeded player in Melbourne next year.
Taylor Fritz says Rafael Nadal’s comeback is good news for all of tennis
Rafael Nadal’s partner on the ATP Tour, Taylor Fritz, recently commented on the Spaniard’s 2024 return, saying it was good news for all of tennis to see him back in action.
Fritz acknowledged that Nadal may be a little rusty early on, but still expects the 22-time Grand Slam champion to be a formidable opponent on tour.
“I mean, I expected it, it’s Rafa. I don’t think he was ever going to retire or let it go, so I’m sure, after he left, I hoped he would come back. To start the year. So I think it’s good news for tennis as a whole,” Taylor Fritz said.
“He’s Rafa, so I think he might be a bit rusty to come back or it might take a while, he’s still going to play really well and he’s still going to play and draw for a lot of people. It will be difficult. Also just because he hasn’t been seeded,” he added.
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal for years? Check here
