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Ivanisevic accepts wild card at Queen's
April 14, 2004 20:56 IST
Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic has accepted a wild card for the grasscourt Grand Slam's warm-up event at the Queen's Club in June.
Ivanisevic has been troubled by shoulder, knee and foot injuries since winning Wimbledon as a 125th-ranked wild card in 2001. He played the Queen's event last year, injured his left shoulder and did not appear at Wimbledon.
He has played in just 15 tournaments since the end of 2001, often ending his participation in the first round. His ranking has slipped to 505.
"Last year ... I played at the Stella Artois (Queen's) but I didn't make it to Wimbledon," said Ivanisevic on the organisers' web site.
"This year I hope I can come to Wimbledon as well."
The 32-year-old Croatian has played at Queen's 11 times and reached the final once, in 1997, when he lost to Australia's Mark Philippoussis in straight sets.
"I like to be there, have my things in my apartment, and this year will be special, with the European (soccer) championships and the big match with Croatia playing England. It's going to be interesting."
Ivanisevic will be joined by champion Andy Roddick, Philippoussis, three-time winner Lleyton Hewitt, and Britain's Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski at the tournament that begins on June 7. Wimbledon starts on June 21.