http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4834714.stm

 

Nadal & Murray to play at Queen's
 







Nadal won just one of his three matches on grass last seasonWorld number two Rafael Nadal will make his Stella Artois Championship debut at London's Queen's Club from 12-18 June.

The 19-year-old Spaniard will join the likes of Andy Murray and defending champion Andy Roddick in the draw.

"The Stella Artois is a very important and traditional tournament and I like a lot to play on grass," said Nadal.

"I need to improve, I want to improve, and to be able to stay in London and play on grass before Wimbledon is a very good opportunity for me."

The Spaniard played the Halle tournament in Germany last year, losing to Alex Waske in the first round, and went down to Gilles Muller in the second round of Wimbledon two weeks later.

Nadal, who has made a two-year commitment to the Queen's Club event, will line up alongside Murray, Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski.

Roddick said: "I have some fond memories of the Stella Artois over the last few years and I look forward to going back to defend my title.

"I always enjoy going to such a special place to play on grass."

Murray made a breakthrough at last year's tournament, beating Santiago Ventura for his first ATP Tour victory and then seeing off Taylor Dent.

The Scot's run came to an end in a dramatic third-round encounter with Thomas Johansson.