Nadal to begin Wimbledon prep in Stuttgart

Rafael-Nadal;-ATP

Rafael Nadal. (Lionel Cironneau/AP)

STUTTGART, Germany — Rafael Nadal will begin his Wimbledon preparations at the Mercedes Cup in June as the Stuttgart tournament makes the switch from clay to grass courts.

Organizers say Nadal will bid to become the first player the win the event three times after lifting the trophy in 2005 and 2007 on red clay at the Weissenhof club.

U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic of Croatia, Feliciano Lopez of Spain, Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus and local favourite Tommy Haas were already lined up for Stuttgart’s grass premiere between June 6-14. The tournament starts two weeks after the French Open, where Nadal is aiming for his record 10th title.

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