LONDON (AP) — French Open champion Rafael Nadal says he will miss next week’s tournament at Queen’s Club as he needs to rest ahead of Wimbledon.
Nadal told Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association website that he had originally planned to play the grass-court tournament in London.
But he added that “at 31, and after a long clay court season with all of the emotions of Roland Garros, and after speaking to my team and doctor, I have decided my body needs to rest if I am going to be ready to play Wimbledon.”
It is the third consecutive year Nadal has entered the tournament only to pull out before it has started.
“We are obviously disappointed that Rafa has decided that he is unable to play this year, but we wish him well and hope to see him on our courts in the future,” tournament director Stephen Farrow said.
Nadal’s absence from the west London event will raise doubts about his chances of winning Wimbledon for a third time.
The 17-time grand slam champion last won at the All England Club in 2010 and has not been past the last 16 since 2011.
Top-ranked Andy Murray will be looking to defend his title at Queen’s. The field includes U.S. Open champion Stan Wawrinka, who beat Murray in the semifinals at Roland Garros before losing to Nadal in Sunday’s final.
Wimbledon starts July 2 at the All England Club.
