Rafael Nadal causes fury as compatriot hits out at 'injustice' after missing out on Olympic spot

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

Martinez is currently ranked 48th in the world and is the third-highest Spanish player on the ATP Tour after Carlos Alcaraz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

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

However, Nadal bumped Martinez further down while Carenno Busta also utilised the protected ranking system.

It means that Martinez will not be a part of Spain's squad and the 27-year-old is not happy 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 said Eurosport.

"I don’t see it as entirely fair. It’s as if I get injured 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 situation like this is a bit unfair. But you can’t control it and that’s it."

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

Speaking after his tournament exit, Nadal confirmed that he was set to skip Wimbledon to focus on being ready for the Olympics.

Roland Garros will play host to Olympic tennis this summer and Mats Wilander feels it would be the perfect place 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 said on Eurosport.

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"There are only a few guys 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 hurt him.

"The circumstances [were] terrible for Rafa: indoors, it’s cold outside, wet in the air, and the ball didn’t travel at all. All that, and still being so close, it’s all positive for Rafa.

"With that passion, why not keep going? He knows how to win big matches on this court, even when he’s 38, 39...”