LONDON, February 23, 2017
The reigning US Open champion Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and in-form Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov have joined the World No.1 Andy Murray and Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal in the Aegon Championships singles field, held from 19 to 25 June 2017 at The Queen’s Club in London.
On the day that tickets went on general sale, last year’s Australian and US Open champion Jamie Murray committed to play in the doubles field.
“By adding the US Open champion Stan Wawrinka to Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, we now have 20 Grand Slam titles in our Aegon Championships singles field,” said Tournament Director Stephen Farrow. “Stan is one of the most exciting, spectacular shot-makers in the sport, and we are also thrilled that Grigor Dimitrov and Jamie Murray are going to be with us. Grigor is one of our most popular champions, and British crowds love watching Jamie play.”
With Centre Court capacity increasing by 30% in 2017, more than 15,000 additional people will be able to watch the action at the Aegon Championships – the ATP World Tour 500 Tournament of the Year.
Tickets go on general sale at 10am.
Grigor Dimitrov, 2014 Aegon Championships Winner: ‘I feel like I’m a better player now’
Grigor Dimitrov won the Aegon Championships in 2014, beat Andy Murray in straight sets a couple of weeks later at Wimbledon, and then reached the semifinals, but he feels he is a better player now than he was then.
Dimitrov, 25, has returned to form with a bang this year, winning two titles (Brisbane, Sofia), reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, and narrowly losing out in a pulsating five-set tussle with Rafael Nadal.
“I feel like I’m a better player, a better person, better everything,” he said, as he confirmed his return to the tournament at The Queen’s Club, 19th-25th June.
“The grass court season is going to be a big thing for me with Queen’s and then Wimbledon around the corner. I’ve seen the field, it’s going to be very strong again, but I’m excited to see what my form is going to be like.
“Every year, coming back to Queen’s brings me great memories to me. I won the tournament a few years ago and I love it. It’s the best way to prepare for Wimbledon, and to perform out there on the grass at Queen’s is a really, really amazing feeling for me.”
Tara McGregor-Woodhams, Head of Brand & Sponsorship, Aegon UK said: “We are delighted that Stan Wawrinka, Grigor Dimitrov and Jamie Murray are going to be competing in the Aegon Championships. All are exciting players and we can’t wait to see them play in June.”
Earlier this month, Andy Murray made a career-commitment to play in the Aegon Championships, Nadal signed up, and the BBC announced that they will cover the tournament until at least 2024.
Last year, the Aegon Championships was voted ATP-500 Tournament of the Year by the players – the fourth successive year that the event has received a tournament of the year award.