Novak Djokovic has taken a wild card into the Fever Tree Championships.
Novak Djokovic has decided to play on grass this season after all. The Serb was famously quoted as saying he didn’t know if he was going to play on grass at all this season after his loss to Marco Cecchinato. Those quotes caused quite a stir when the Serb made them, but many were wise to recognize that Djokovic was in no mood to talk about anything after a loss that clearly stung him–in no mood to look ahead, he was simply avoiding the question.
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Question answered…
On Monday the Fever Tree Championships announced that the Serb has taken a wild card into the main draw for the ATP 500 event at Queens Club that begins next week.
“I’m very excited to be playing the Fever-Tree Championships again,” said Djokovic in a statement. “I have happy memories of reaching the final at the Queen’s Club 10 years ago and also winning the doubles title.”
"After the exciting events in Rome and Paris, I'm ready for new challenges,” the Serb added. “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. Marian Vajda and Gebhard Phil-Gritsch will be with me in London, and this makes me happy.”
Djokovic: "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. The atmosphere is always great." pic.twitter.com/bJanSGqf9b
— Fever-Tree Championships (@QueensTennis) June 11, 2018
Djokovic owns four grass-court titles and a 77-17 lifetime record on the surface. He owns a 6-3 lifetime record at Queen’s Club, and played the final in 2008 where he lost to Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic has played the final at four different grass events, triumphing at Eastbourne last season and Wimbledon in 2011, 2014 and 2015.
Djokovic joins a singles line-up led by World No.1 Rafael Nadal, 5-time champion Andy Murray, and fellow Grand Slam title winners Juan Martin del Potro, Marin Cilic and Stan Wawrinka.