Nadal on Monte-Carlo entry list with protected ranking

The 37-year-old will hope to begin his clay-court season in Monte-Carlo as e builds towards Roland-Garro

Panoramic / Panoramic

March 12, 2024

Being on an entry list doesn’t mean someone is going to play but in the case of Rafael Nadal, the fact that he’s on the list for Monte-Carlo is an encouraging sight.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is included on the list for the first clay-court Masters 1000 of the year, using a protected ranking of 9, rather than taking a wildcard.

Whether he makes it there remains to be seen, of course, as Nadal is still recovering full fitness, having decided not to risk things in Indian Wells. The 37-year-old Spaniard, who returned in Brisbane after a year out with a hip injury but then pulled out of the Australian Open, has only played in Monte-Carlo once in the past four years, in fact (in 2021). But with Roland-Garros at the forefront of his plans, in what he says is likely to be his final year on Tour, he would love to line-up 100 percent fit for a tournament he has won 11 times.

According to journalist – and Tennis Majors contributor Remi Bourrieres, Nadal had a scan on his back after pulling out of Indian Wells but that showed no damage.

Confirmation que Rafael Nadal a fait jouer son classement protégé pour intégrer le tableau final de Monte Carlo. L’iRM passée au niveau du dos n’a révélé aucun dommage. Le forfait à Indian Wells était a priori une simple précaution.
— Rémi Bourrieres (@remibourrieres) March 12, 2024

Top 10 all included

There may well be withdrawals, of course, before the tournament begins on April 7, but as of now, the entire top 10 is entered, led by Novak Djokovic.

American Ben Shelton is the only member of the current top 20 not entered. Marin Cilic, the former US Open champion, is another man using a protected ranking (of 21) to enter.

Full list, as of March 12: