Why do high ranked players still need to play qualies???

[MikeMechanic]

Gilles Simon is currently ranked 31 on the ATP Tour. IMO that is very high, at grand slams he would be seeded. However at Rotterdam (ATP 500) he needs to play qualies to get in the main draw. Isn't it a bit ridiculous a player ranked that high needs to play qualies? In fact every player ranked in the top 100 gets a straight entry in the main draw at slams. I know at smaller tournaments the draw is smaller but there are also less participants.

 

[mikeeeee]

Does it bypass an entry fee into the main draw? I'm not familiar with the tour and how players actually enter tournaments.

 

[tennisaddict]

Must have entered late after he got stomped in Montpellier

 

[jm1980]

He missed the deadline to get into the main draw

I believe you can also intentionally enter the qualifying draw to get more match practice (even though you are ranked high enough to enter the main draw)

 

[toby55555]

Does it bypass an entry fee into the main draw? I'm not familiar with the tour and how players actually enter tournaments.

Entry fee, I think at this level the players are more likely to be charging the fee for taking part.