Rafael Nadal to Use Protected Ranking at Australian Open 2024: Reports

Rafael Nadal to use Protected Ranking to enter 2024 Australian Open The Spaniard will make his comeback at the Brisbane International

It has been reported that Rafael Nadal will use a Protected Ranking to enter the 2024 Australian Open. This will be the first Grand Slam tournament of his comeback season. As a result, he will not require a wild card to compete. Nadal is set to kickstart his comeback at the Brisbane International, where he will join other top stars such as Andy Murray and Naomi Osaka. Currently outside the top 600 of the ATP rankings, Nadal is ineligible to enter the main draw of the Melbourne Major or even the qualifications.

Nadal’s last appearance was at the 2023 Australian Open, where he exited in the second round due to a hip strain. His extended absence from the tour meant that the 22-time Grand Slam champion would have to either use one of his Protected Ranking slots or wait for a wildcard from the tournament officials. It has now been revealed that he has opted to use his Protected Ranking.

According to ATP rules, a player returning from injury can use a Protected Ranking in their first 12 singles or doubles tournaments. However, it should be noted that Nadal cannot use the Protected Ranking to secure a seeding at the Australian Open; he will remain unseeded in Melbourne next year.

Rafael Nadal’s return has been hailed as good news for tennis by Taylor Fritz, his colleague on the ATP Tour. Fritz acknowledged that Nadal may be a bit rusty, but he still expects the 22-time Grand Slam champion to be a formidable opponent.