Doha ATP 250/Dubai ATP500- February 18-March 5, 2023

[Dinesh]

Congrats to Bopanna!!

Next week, at the ATP Dubai 500:

QR1 (PR) Yuki Bhambri (688) versus (7) Francesco Passaro (ITA,109)

$6,405 for the first round efforts.

[jayakris]

I didn't know that he still had PRs left to use. Yuki used his PRs very wisely, from a money standpoint. He made good money. This shouldn't have been allowed and ATP should have better rules on PR usage... but I won't complain if an Indian is making money, as long as it is not from fraud like some big "A" list Indian industrialists are accused by foreign entities to have committed

[Dinesh]

^^^ If we are talking about improper use of PRs, then Dudi Sela is the master of it. The 37-year old Israeli has been taking proper advantage of his protected ranking by only showing up at the grand slams since 2021. IIRC, Yen-Hsun Lu did the same. I am okay with this loophole in the rules.

[Atithee]

^^^^ isn’t there a 12 month expiration date after first usage? How can the Dudi dude be using it since 2021?

Edit

What is a protected ranking, and who can use them?

A player can gain protected ranking status when physically injured and does not compete in any tennis event for a minimum of six months. The petition is issued to the ATP (usually the CEO) and must be received within six months of his last tournament.

The protected ranking gives a player a spot in the rankings determined by the player’s average ATP Rankings position during the first three months of his injury.

The Entry Protection status gives players entry into the main draw or qualifying competition or for special exempt consideration.

How long does a protected ranking last?

A player can use a protected ranking for the first nine tournaments they compete in using the Entry Protection or for up to nine months, beginning with the first tennis event that the player competes in, whichever happens first. This excludes wild cards and entries as a Direct Acceptance, should the true ranking allow this.

If a player is physically injured and does not compete in any tennis event for twelve months or longer, the entry protection shall be in effect for the first twelve singles tournaments and the first twelve doubles tournaments that the player competes in using the entry protection or for the period up to twelve months beginning with the first tennis event that the player competes in, whichever occurs first.

Protected rankings cannot be used for seeding purposes or Lucky Loser consideration, nor can they be used for a top eight player to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.

[arjun2761]

^^^^
From the ATP rulebook there is also the Re-injury protection which is what must allow the extension beyond the original (9 or 12 month) window to use the PR.

https://www.atptour.com/en/corporate/rulebook (see section IX F)

Re-injury Protection. A player who has returned to competition and re-injures
himself may petition for a “freeze” of the nine (9) or twelve (12) month limit for
competing using his protected ranking. To be eligible for the “freeze” the player
must be out of competition for a minimum of three (3) months, the written petition
for the “freeze” must be received within this period. Upon the player’s return to
competition he shall have the same number of events and weeks remaining as
were available when the “freeze” went into effect. A maximum of two (2) “freezes”
are allowed during the nine (9) or twelve (12) month period.

[prashanthm]

I think there was also an additional provision for protected ranking during/after COVID that may not be in the rulebook now...

[jayakris]

Yuki is often good for one win against anybody (below top100, I guess) so he may even pull an upset. Usually it is curtains with that. But let us see what happens!

[Dinesh]

Except he retires after trailing 1-4 in the opening set.

[Rajiv]

Nothing wrong with him by that retirement, and in order not to exert himself, just used it as a warm up for his dbls quali match against a WC pairing which begins in the next couple of hours and in the process still earned $6400 tax free dollars for 15 minute jog on the courts

[Atithee]

^^^ this is either illogical rules or shameful or both. It shouldn’t be allowed to make a mockery of the sport like this. He is on record saying he’s retired from Singles. This is just not good despite its legality.

[Sanjay]

^^^ this is either illogical rules or shameful or both. It shouldn’t be allowed to make a mockery of the sport like this. He is on record saying he’s retired from Singles. This is just not good despite its legality.

Yes, if he did it just to make some quick money, it is shameful and sad.

[prashanthm]

Yuki/Saki did win their doubles Q-R1 in straight sets though... Need one more win to get into the main draw to face Haase/Middlekoop

[sameerph]

Yuki/Saki lose a close one in the second qualifying round in Dubai against Australians JP Smith and Andrew Harris- 61 67(4) 8-10.

Yuki served for the match at 5-4 in the second set but got broken. Yuki's serve is somewhat suspect link in this partnership. Almost every service game for him is a struggle. Can he add some pace to his serve which will be crucial at ATP level in doubles ? Looks difficult after so many years.

[Rajiv]

Dissapointing close loss, but in the end justice served on Yuki for being smart and cheeky by resorting to illegality and for that Saki had to pay the price.

[jayakris]

^^ Nothing illegal though. It is ATP's fault, for keeping the loophole in the rules that allows a retiring player to make some extra money (like $30K or something altogether). If an injury ends your career when you are ranked pretty high, you can do this. Maybe they consider it a retirement bonus!