What is a Protected Ranking in Tennis?

A protected ranking in tennis allows top players to retain their entry status when they are unable to compete for at least six months due to a long-term physical injury.

This means that during their injury time, a player is given a special ranking that remains unchanged. Once they recover, they can use this ranking to enter top-level competitions without having to work their way up from lower-tier events.

How to Apply for a Protected Ranking
How the Protected Ranking is Calculated?
Key Benefits of a Protected Ranking
Top Players Who Have Used Protected Ranking
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How to Apply for a Protected Ranking

A player can request Entry Protection by submitting a petition to the ATP CEO or their designee if they are physically injured and unable to compete for at least six months. This written petition must be submitted within six months of the player’s last tournament.

How the Protected Ranking is Calculated?

The Entry Protection is based on a player’s average PIF ATP ranking during the first three months of their injury. It grants eligibility for a main draw or qualifying entry, as well as special exempt consideration.

Example:

The player’s ranking in month 1 after the injury was #40.
The player’s ranking in month 2 after the injury was #45.
The player’s ranking in month 3 after the injury was #50.

The player’s protected ranking is (40+45+50)/3 = 45.

Key Benefits of a Protected Ranking

The main benefit of a protected ranking is that it helps players return to top-level tennis. Without it, they would have to start from smaller ATP events, which could take months or even years to regain their pre-injury ranking.

Here are the more specific benefits of a protected ranking:

Players returning from injury can use their protected ranking for either their first nine tournaments (excluding wild cards and direct acceptances based on their current PIF ATP ranking) or for up to nine months from their return, whichever comes first.
If the injury lasts 12 months or longer and the player doesn’t compete during that time, the protected ranking will be in effect for their first 12 singles and doubles tournaments (excluding wild cards and direct acceptances) or for up to 12 months from their return, whichever comes first.