Rafael Nadal is expected to compete at the Olympics

Rafael Nadal and Pablo Carreno Busta are both utilizing their protected ranking to make Spain’s roster for this summer’s Olympics.

Rafael Nadal’s nomination in Spain’s singles squad for this summer’s Olympics hasn’t gone down well with his compatriot Pedro Martinez.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has plummeted down to 275th in the world rankings after his protracted injury lay-off.

But he’s able to use his protected status of No 9 to qualify for the Olympics in Paris.

Martinez is now rated 48th in the world and is the third-highest Spanish player on the ATP Tour behind Carlos Alcaraz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Rafael Nadal is expected to compete at the Olympics

Under normal circumstances, that would be enough to assure he’s a part of Spain’s singles squad for the Olympics.

However, Nadal bumped Martinez farther down while Carenno Busta also exploited the protected ranking system.

It means that Martinez will not be a member of Spain’s squad and the 27-year-old is not thrilled about it.

“In this case, the protected ranking is an injustice because neither of us has missed the Olympic Games due to being injured, regardless of whether it is Rafa, who we all want to see in the Olympic Games, including me as a fan,” Martinez stated Eurosport.

“I don’t view that as totally fair. It’s as if I get hurt now and in four years I use the protected ranking in the Los Angeles Games (2028).

“I think that this year I deserve to go to the Olympic Games – and not going because of a circumstance like this is a bit unjust. But you can’t control it and that’s all.”

Nadal lost to Alexander Zverev in the first round of what might perhaps be his final French Open.

Speaking after his tournament withdrawal, Nadal stated that he was going to forego Wimbledon to focus on being ready for the Olympics.

Pedro Martinez is not satisfied with the protected ranking system

Roland Garros will play host to Olympic tennis this summer and Mats Wilander says it would be the perfect site for Nadal’s swansong before retirement.

“It’s amazing and could be an incredible end to his career, but I think he’s too competitive; he’s playing too well,” Wilander remarked on Eurosport.

Rafael Nadal could retire after the Olympics

“There are just a few individuals that beat him when he’s playing this well, and Zverev [was] the worst opponent possible; worse than playing Novak [Djokovic], worse than playing Carlos Alcaraz, because he’s tall and he couldn’t really damage him.

“The circumstances [were] dreadful for Rafa: indoors, it’s chilly outdoors, damp in the air, and the ball didn’t travel at all. All that, and still being so close, it’s all fantastic for Rafa.

“With that desire, why not keep going? He knows how to win huge matches on this court, even when he’s 38, 39…”