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 Sampras requests Queen's wildcard
Posted: Tuesday April 13, 1999 01:19 PM
LONDON (AP) -- Pete Sampras has asked for a wildcard to play in the Wimbledon warmup tournament at Queen's Club in June, organizers said Tuesday. Stella Artois tournament director Ian Wight said a wildcard could be left open for Sampras until the day of the draw and would depend on his performance at the French Open. "If he reaches the semis at the French Open, I doubt he'll take up the wildcard," Wight said. Sampras, a five-time Wimbledon champion, was winner at Queen's in 1995. He was beaten by Australian Mark Woodforde in the third round last year. Wight said the 21st edition of the Queen's tournament, June 7-13, had already attracted five of the world's top 10 players. Russia's Yevgeny Kafelnikov, winner of this year's Australian Open, will play at Queen's for the first time. This year's $750,000 (470,000 pounds) event will comprise a 56-player draw, including former champions Todd Martin of the United States and U.S. Open finalist Mark Philipoussis. Defending titlist Scott Draper of Australia has confirmed his entry along with top British pair Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski. Goran Ivanisevic, beaten finalist at Wimbledon last year, also has entered, along with Michael Chang, Thomas Enqvist, Cedric Pioline and Jason Stoltenberg. Defending Wimbledon junior champion Roger Federer of Switzerland and 18-year-old Australian Lleyton Hewitt were among five budding juniors invited to play in the tournament. Boris Becker, who won the event at age 17 in 1985 before going on to win the first of his three Wimbledon crowns, has indicated he'll play, but tournament organizers have not confirmed his place.
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