Rafael Nadal will not require a wild card entrance to make a stunning comeback at the Australian Open in 2024 because of his use of a protected ranking. The Spanish legend intends to begin his comeback at the Brisbane International with tennis greats like Andy Murray and Naomi Osaka, even though he is presently ranked outside of the top 600 in the ATP rankings. His calculated action ensures that the season will get off to a great start, with entertaining matches and a return to Rafael Nadal’s famous toughness on the court.
Rafael Nadal, who was dealing with a hip ailment, had to make a big decision regarding his comeback following a difficult 2023 Australian Open. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had to decide whether to use his protected ranking or hold out for a wildcard when faced with time off the court.
Following a report by journalist Jose Morgado, Nadal opted for the former, guaranteeing his place in the Australian Open of 2024 without the need for a wildcard. In preparation for a stunning return to the tennis scene, this decision is a major milestone for the Spanish legend.
After recovering from an injury, Rafael Nadal is permitted to use a protected ranking for a maximum of 12 tournaments per ATP regulation. It’s crucial to remember that this will not give him a seeding at the Australian Open; instead, he will not receive a seed for the forthcoming Melbourne tournament. This rule gives his comeback an interesting twist because it doesn’t change his seeding status even with the protected ranking clause.
Taylor Fritz believes that Rafael Nadal’s return is positive for tennis overall
One other ATP Tour competitor, Taylor Fritz, expressed delight at Rafael Nadal’s expected return to the court in 2024 when he recently discussed his thoughts on the announcement. Fritz acknowledged that Nadal might be rusty, but he maintained his confidence in the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s ability to play well into the future. According to Fritz, Nadal’s return is encouraging for tennis as a whole and will provide fresh energy to the game. He is a seasoned champion.
Taylor Fritz “I mean, I expected that, it’s Rafa. I don’t think that he was ever going to just retire and not give it another go, so I definitely, after the amount of time he’s had off, I expected him to come back to start the year. So I think that it’s good news for tennis as a whole,” an article from sportskeeda.com mentioned.
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