The organizers of Wimbledon announced the first wildcards for the third major of the year on Wednesday. Jürgen Melzer will compete together with Canadian Daniel Nestor as well as Lleyton Hewitt with his Australian compatriot Alex Bolt. Alex de Minaur, however, is the best known name to receive a wildcard in singles.
“Thank you, Wimbledon, for so much love,” posted Jürgen Melzer on Instagram. “I can’t wait to run off with an absolute legend of our sport!”
In 2010, the 37-year-old won the double competition on the holy lawn alongside Philipp Petzschner. One year later Melzer triumphed with his future wife Iveta Benesova in mixed doubles.
In addition to Melzer, the 2002 single winner Hewitt will also be represented in the doubles. The 37-year-old also postponed his career and already competed in several tournaments this season. At the Australian Open he reached the quarter-finals with Sam Groth. Hewitt also wants to get himself in shape for the Davis Cup play-off against Austria in September with his regular appearances.
In the men’s singles, the first three of a total of eight wildcards were awarded. Besides De Minaur the Britons Liam Brody and Jay Clarke got the honour.
De Minaur showed tremendously on the Challenger tour. After reaching the final in Surbiton, the 19-year-old won the tournament in Nottingham. On his way to the title, he eliminated Jürgen Melzer, among others.
A wildcard for Daniel Evans, who has been back in the professional circus since the end of April after a one-year doping ban, was waived by the organizers. As the current 340th World Rankings, Evans will also have no chance of qualifying.
In the women’s competition, six British women were awarded a wildcard. Naomi Broady is also a former top 100 player in the main draw.