Rafael Nadal set to face huge pre-Wimbledon challenge from Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic
RAFAEL NADAL will hope to be back playing top-level tennis well before the tour comes to Queen’s Club - but the field he faces has today got stronger with the addition of Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic.
Nadal, who is currently sidelined with a leg injury but hopes to return in time for the clay-court season, confirmed last week that he is planning to play the traditional pre-Wimbledon tournament.
The Spaniard won in west London back in 2008, a year when he also triumphed in the French Open and Wimbledon itself.
“I am very excited to communicate that I am going to come to Queen’s in 2018,” said Nadal.
“It is going to be the 10th anniversary of my victory in 2008, it’s a great memory, winning there and three weeks later winning Wimbledon.
“It was an unforgettable year. I am very excited to be coming back and playing Queen’s again.”
Andy Murray is also hoping to recover from a hip injury in time for the tournament, but both he and Nadal will be now be joined by two more of the world’s top players.
Cilic is a dangerous grass-court opponent, having reached the final of Wimbledon and Queen’s last year and having won the warm-up tournament in 2012.
"I am proud to have won it and I want to win it again," Cilic said.
"It's one of the best tournaments that we play.
“I have been playing the event since I was very young, so it has always been a special place for me."
Dimitrov is also a former Queen’s champion, having lifted the trophy in 2014.
The Bulgarian celebrated a breakthrough year in 2017, reaching career-high of No 3 in the world and securing the biggest win of his career at the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena across London.
"Now that I have the O2 title, I am motivated to do even better at Queen's and Wimbledon this year," Dimitrov said.