Hewitt gets wildcard for Wimbledon

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 12: Lleyton Hewitt of Australia serves during his first round match against Ivo Karlovic of Croatia on day two of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 12, 2012 in London, England.

London – Former champion Lleyton Hewitt is one of 13 players to receive a wildcard entry to this year’s Wimbledon tennis tournament, organisers confirmed.

Australian Hewitt beat David Nalbandian in the 2002 final, but the 31-year-old is now ranked 176th in the world. The list also includes 34-year-old Tommy Haas of Germany, who was a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2009.

Belgian world No.109 David Goffin, who reached the quarter-finals of his first ever French Open before losing to Roger Federer, also gets a wildcard, as does surprise French Open women’s quarter-finalist Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan.

Former world No.16 Virginie Razzano, from France, is also included on the list.

Wimbledon traditionally grants entries to British players who would not otherwise qualify, and this year is no different.

British men Jamie Baker, Oliver Golding, Josh Goodall and James Ward all benefit, as do Naomi Broady, Johanna Konta, Laura Robson and Heather Watson in the women’s draw.

Wimbledon takes place from June 25 to July 8.

–IANS/RIA Novosti

sr/vt