Rafael Nadal will reportedly make use of a Protected Rating to enter the 2024 Australian Open, the primary Grand Slam event of his comeback season. He’ll, subsequently, not require a wild card.
The Spaniard will kickstart his yr on the Brisbane Worldwide, the place he’ll be part of the likes of Andy Murray, Naomi Osaka and different high stars. He’s at present outdoors the highest 600 of the ATP rankings, and is subsequently ineligible to enter the principle draw of the Melbourne Main and even the {qualifications}.
Nadal was final in motion on the 2023 Australian Open, the place he exited within the second spherical and suffered a hip pressure within the course of. The prolonged time on the sidelines meant the 22-time Grand Slam champion must both use certainly one of his Protected Rating slots or await a wildcard from the event officers.
However as reported by journalist Jose Morgado, he has determined to make use of the previous.
In response to the ATP guidelines, a participant getting back from harm can use a Protected Rating of their first 12 singles or doubles tournaments. Nonetheless, it must be famous that Nadal can not use it to get a seeding on the Australian Open, and can stay an unseeded participant in Melbourne subsequent yr.
Rafael Nadal’s comeback is nice information for tennis as an entire, says Taylor Fritz
2023 Australian Open – Day 3
Rafael Nadal’s colleague on the ATP Tour, Taylor Fritz, not too long ago commented on the Spaniard’s 2024 comeback, saying that it was excellent news for tennis as an entire to see him again in motion.
Fritz admitted that Nadal may be a little bit rusty at first, however nonetheless expects the 22-time Grand Slam champion to be a formidable opponent on the tour.
“I imply, I anticipated that, it’s Rafa. I don’t assume that he was ever going to simply retire and never give it one other go, so I positively, after the period of time he’s had off, I anticipated him to come back again to begin the yr. So I feel that it’s excellent news for tennis as an entire,” Taylor Fritz mentioned.
“He’s Rafa, so I feel even when he’s going to be possibly a little bit rusty coming again or it takes a while, he’s nonetheless going to be taking part in rather well and he’s nonetheless going to be robust for lots of fellows to play early and attracts as properly simply due to him being unseeded,” he added.
What’s the foot harm that has troubled Rafael Nadal through the years? Examine right here
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