Sampras wants Queen's spot

Sampras wants Queen's spot

Sampras wants to play in the Stella Artois tournament again

US Open champion Pete Sampras has asked for a wildcard spot to be kept open for him at the Stella Artois grasscourt tournament in June.

The event is the traditional warm-up for Wimbledon, suggesting the 31-year-old could seek to win an eighth All-England title.

He has not played since winning his 14th Grand Slam tournament at Flushing Meadows in September.

"Pete has asked if we would reserve a wildcard for him and we are pleased to do that," tournament spokesman Jolyon Armstrong said.

The Stella Artois tournament, which Sampras won in 1995 and 1999, is scheduled for 9-15 June. Wimbledon runs from 23 June until 6 July.

World number one and reigning Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt has set his sights on a record fourth consecutive title at Queen's.

John McEnroe and Boris Becker are the only players to have won the Wimbledon warm-up event four times but they never achieved it back-to-back.

I want to go one further this year

British number one Tim Henman

Hewitt completed a title hat-trick at the 2002 Stella Artois Championships at Queen's before claiming his first title at the All England club.

"It would be a tremendous honour to win the Stella Artois for a fourth consecutive year," said the 22-year-old.

"The Queen's Club courts are in fantastic condition year after year."

Hewitt has swept aside Tim Henman in the last two Queen's finals but the British number one is eager to try finally to beat him.

Henman in new injury blow

"I've been to the final three times before and I want to go one further," Henman said.

"It won't be easy though because Hewitt will want a fourth title and the rest of the field is always so strong."

British number two Greg Rusedski will also appear at Queen's as he joins Henman on a steady comeback from injury.