Rafael Nadal 8216;won8217;t be protected with higher seeding in French Open8217;

8220;Considering what Nadal represents in Paris,i.e.,the best player in the tournament8217;s history,it seemed incongruous that he arrives in Paris with the number 4 or 5 bib,8221; Ysern told French sports daily L8217;Equipe,adding that he backed off because the move would not have been welcomed.

8220;But it was said to be fiddling,8221; he said.

8220;What was supposed to be a strong symbol,a tribute,was seen as messy business.8221;

Nadal,who missed seven months of tennis because of a knee injury,trails world number four David Ferrer in the ATP rankings and has little chance of closing the points gap before the French Open begins on May 26.