British No.1 Kyle Edmund and defending champion Feliciano Lopez have added their names to a star-studded list of players intending to play in the newly-named Fever-Tree Championships at The Queen’s Club, 18-24 June.
Edmund and Lopez will join three of the world’s current Top 4 ranked players - Rafael Nadal (2), Marin Cilic (3), Grigor Dimitrov (4) - and 5-time champion Andy Murray in entering the tournament which yesterday announced Fever-Tree, the premium brand mixer-drinks company, as its title-sponsor.
Edmund became the British No.1 after a stunning run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January, replacing Murray who has endured an extended absence from the game because of injury. Edmund’s appearance at the Fever-Tree Championships will be his first in Britain since becoming his nation’s No.1 ranked male player.
"I would love to do well at The Queen’s Club."
“I am very much looking forward to playing the Fever-Tree Championships in June,” said Edmund, who beat Dimitrov to reach the semifinals in Melbourne before going down to Cilic in the final four.
“Competing in front of British tennis fans at home is always a thrill, and I would love to do well at The Queen’s Club. The tournament is one of the best of the year with so much history. With Wimbledon just around the corner I really want to see what I can do on the grass.”
Lopez won the title at his 12th attempt, defeating Cilic in one of the best finals in the event’s history.
“Winning the trophy at Queen’s meant everything to me,” said Lopez. “Outside the Slams I think it is one of the biggest tournaments in the world to win because of the history, the club, the trophy. It is unique. After trying for more than 10 years and losing against Grigor (Dimitrov) after having match point in the 2014 final, it was so, so special to finally do it - one of the best moments of my whole career. I will be so proud to come back to the Fever-Tree Championships to try to defend my title."
Stephen Farrow, Tournament Director, said: “We are delighted to add Kyle and Feliciano’s names to the Fever-Tree Championships line-up just a day after our new title-sponsor came on board. Kyle has played well at The Queen’s Club before, reaching the quarter-finals two years ago, but over the past few months he has reached another level. It will be a special moment to see him make his first appearance in Britain as the nation’s No.1 male player, on our centre court.
“Feliciano winning this title a year ago touched everyone, and it was just an amazing final. He is one of the most popular players every year, both on court with the crowd and off it behind the scenes with all the staff at the tournament. We can’t wait to see Kyle and Feliciano in June.”
Tickets for the Fever-Tree Championships went on sale recently amidst record demand. The tournament’s Centre Court capacity increased by more than 30% last year. The event will be covered throughout by BBC television, radio and online, by Amazon Prime Video for the first time and around the world in more than 40 countries.