LONDON: 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.”

Top-ranked Andy Murray will be looking to defend his title at Queen’s. The field includes US Open champion Stan Wawrinka, who beat Murray in the semi-finals at Roland Garros before losing to Nadal in Sunday’s final.

Wimbledon starts on July 3 at the All England Club.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2017