By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Monday, June 3, 2024
Spanish player Pedro Martinez recently took issue with the addition of fellow countryman Rafael Nadal and other compatriots being allowed to compete at the upcoming Summer Games in Paris.
Martinez, currently ranked World No. 48, missed out on being granted a place on the Spanish team. In frustration, he blamed the current protected rankings system, which allows Nadal and Pablo Carreno Busta to be on the team despite not having played for most of 2023 due to injuries.
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While Martinez added that, as a fan, he wants to see Nadal compete in Paris, he feels the system should not prevent those who are not injured from playing as well.
“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 said per Eurosport.
Although Nadal and Carreno Busta are currently ranked behind Martinez, they can compete with their protected rankings. In addition, the Spanish team will include reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
The 27-year-old Martinez feels others can manipulate the system for future Olympics. He said that, for example, he could get injured this year but still use a protected ranking to qualify for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Martinez’s reaction drew various responses on social media, with some feeling that Nadal, a former two-time Gold medalist, is within his right to want to seek more Olympic glory.
Martinez recently lost in the second of Roland Garros to Andrey Rublev in straight sets.
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