Rafael Nadal to play at Queen's Club Aegon Championships alongside Andy Murray

Nadal reached the final of last month's Australian Open
AFP/Getty Images
James Benge7 February 2017

Rafael Nadal will begin his preparations for Wimbledon at this summer's Aegon Championships at Queen's Club.

The 14-time grand slam champion won the tournament in 2008 prior to clinching his first Wimbledon title with victory over Roger Federer.

Nadal was forced to pull out of the event last year because of the wrist injury that dogged him in 2016 but showed with his run to the Australian Open final that he remains a force to be reckoned with.

The Spaniard said: "I am very happy to be coming back to Queen's in June. Winning the title in 2008 is a great memory for me and it is the best way for me to be ready for Wimbledon."

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Tournament director Stephen Farrow said: "Rafa is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and one of the most popular ever to play at the Queen's Club."

Nadal joins defending champion Andy Murray in confirming his participation in the tournament, which begins on June 19.

Additional reporting by the Press Association

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