Rafael Nadal confirmed as using Protected Ranking for 2024 Australian Open, joined by Marin Cilic and Milos Raonic among others
ATPMonday, 04 December 2023 at 22:00
Confirmed
players entering the main draw of the Australian Open with a Protected Ranking
include Rafael Nadal, Marin Cilic, and Milos Raonic.
The 2-time
Australian Open champion won't need a wildcard from the tournament organizers
to participate. Rafael Nadal will finally be able to use his Protected Ranking,
defined by the ATP as "a ranking assigned to a player who has been unable,
due to injury, to compete in any tennis event for a minimum of six
months." Returning to the court at the Brisbane International Open
starting on December 31, Nadal will have been out of competition for just over
11 months.
The Spanish
tennis player will enter with a Protected Ranking of 6, but this only applies
to the entry list and doesn't grant him seeding status. Thus, Nadal will enter
a Grand Slam outside the group of seeded players for the first time since 2005,
potentially facing any seeded opponent in the first round.
The
Protected Ranking rule will benefit Nadal for several months, as the ATP allows
its use in the first 9 individual or doubles tournaments or over 9 months,
whichever comes first. Considering Nadal's reduced tournament schedule in
recent years and the likelihood of managing his workload upon returning from
injury, this provision will likely be beneficial for a significant portion of
the year. In 2022, Nadal's 9th tournament was only in mid-August at the
Cincinnati Open.
Other players with Protected Ranking
Rafa Nadal
is not the only one set to benefit from this rule at the upcoming Australian
Open. Other players using their Protected Ranking include former US Open
champion Marin Cilic (#21), Denis Shapovalov (#27), Milos Raonic (#33), Soonwoo
Kwon (#80), Jiri Vesely (#94), and Attila Balazs (#101).
Indeed, the
organization has opened up some wild card slots, as Nadal and Cilic appeared to
be secure entries, especially considering that the Croatian reached the final
of the tournament in 2018 and is one of the few Grand Slam champions on the
Tour.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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