Four-time champion Lleyton Hewitt has been guaranteed a wild card into the Aegon Championships to join defending champion Grigor Dimitrov and British No.1 Andy Murray.
Hewitt, who memorably beat Pete Sampras in the 2000 final aged just 19, will make his 16th and last competitive playing appearance at the tournament.
He plans to bring the curtain down on his glorious playing career in his 20th appearance at the Australian Open next January.
“I can’t wait to get back there one more time." Former world No.1 Hewitt said. "As soon as you walk into The Queen’s Club you feel the tradition and the history of the place.
“And obviously the grass courts are prepared so well you don’t get a bad bounce out there.
"I still give myself a good shot. The grass court tournaments do throw up a few surprises and it’s where I have my best opportunity. If the draw opens up, you never know what might happen. I’ll be going in to do some damage.
“One of the proudest memories for me is to have won the event four times when it always has such a great player list. It’s had so many world No.1’s and Grand Slam champions over the years.
“Guys that hold up the Wimbledon trophy a couple of weeks later often do their preparation at The Queen’s Club.”
As the winner in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2006, Hewitt’s Wimbledon triumph came a few weeks after his third title at The Queen’s Club.
Hewitt's four wins at The Queen's Club
| Year |
Opponent |
Score |
| 2000 |
Pete Sampras |
6-4, 6-4 |
| 2001 |
Tim Henman |
7-6(3), 7-6(3) |
| 2002 |
Tim Henman |
4-6, 6-1, 6-4 |
| 2006 |
James Blake |
6-4, 6-4 |
Awarding the wild card to Lleyton Hewitt
Aegon Championships Tournament Director, Stephen Farrow, said: “It took us roughly two seconds to decide to guarantee Lleyton a wild card!
“It is a little unconventional to award wild cards before the entry list has been finalised, but Lleyton is one of our greatest champions. He stands alongside only John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Andy Roddick in winning the tournament on four occasions in the Open era and our spectators love watching him play every year.”
David Macmillan, Chief Marketing Officer at Aegon added: “To have three of the tournament’s champions committed to be part of the playing field so early is very exciting. Lleyton Hewitt is one of the sport’s great players. We look forward to seeing him one more time.”