12-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will return to action next week after taking a wildcard into the Fever-Tree Championships in London.
The former world No.1 has become the latest addition to the star-studded tournament. It will be the first time since 2010 that Djokovic has played at The Queen’s Club. So far in his career, he has played at the tournament on three occasions. Finishing runner-up to Rafael Nadal in the 2008 final. He also won his first and so far only doubles title on the tour at the event. Clinching the 2010 trophy alongside Jonathan Erlich.
“I am very excited to be playing the Fever-Tree Championships again. I have happy memories of reaching the final at The Queen’s Club 10 years ago and also winning the doubles title.” Said Djokovic.
“After the exciting events in Rome and Paris, I’m ready for new challenges. Grass is very special, it is the rarest of surfaces so I’m happy I’ll have the opportunity to compete at this strong tournament, which will also be a great preparation for Wimbledon.”
Djokovic has also confirmed that he will be in London with Marian Vajda, whom he reunited with earlier in the year. Also present will be another former member of his team, Gebhard Phil-Gritsch.
“We have been hoping Novak would come back to play in the Fever-Tree Championships for years and this is fantastic news for all of us – our ticket-holders, sponsors, broadcasters and the wider media. Novak is one of the best players in the sport’s history, he adds even more strength to our player line-up, and we can’t wait to see him on grass at The Queen’s Club.” Tournament director Stephen Farrow said in a statement.
In recent weeks, doubts have been cast about if the 31-year-old would play during the grass swing of the tour. Shortly after his quarter-final loss to Marco Cecchinato at the French Open, he told reporters that ‘he didn’t know’ if he would play on the grass this year.
Set to be unseeded in the draw, Djokovic faces a tough time at Queen’s. 11 out of the current top 20 players on the ATP Tour are set to play. Including Nadal, Juan Marin del Potro, Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic. Andy Murray is also expected to make his long-awaited return to the tour following hip surgery.
The Fever-Tree Championships will get underway next Monday.
List of entered players (as of 11.6.2018)
1. Rafael Nadal
2. Juan Martin Del Potro
3. Grigor Dimitrov
4. Marin Cilic
5. Kevin Anderson
6. David Goffin
7. Diego Schwartzman
8. Sam Querrey
9. Jack Sock
10. Kyle Edmund
11. Thomas Berdych
12. Denis Shapovalov
13. Nick Kyrgios
14. Adrian Mannarino
15. Damir Dzumhur
16. Filip Krajinovic
17. Gilles Muller
18. Feliciano Lopez
19. Fernando Verdasco
20. Milos Raonic
21. Andy Murray
22. Stan Wawrinka
WC Novak Djokovic
WC Cameron Norrie
