Struggling Henman given Nottingham wildcard

LONDON, June 13 (Reuters) Struggling former British number one Tim Henman has been given a wildcard entry for next week's Nottingham Open, organisers of the Wimbledon warm-up event said today.

Henman, 32, lost in the opening round of the Queen's tournament in London yesterday, the sixth time in seven events he has fallen at the first hurdle, and is desperate for grasscourt action ahead of Wimbledon which starts on June 25.

The four-times Wimbledon semi-finalist, who has slipped to number 54 in the world, last played at Nottingham in 2000 when he lost in the first round.

''Tim is a truly world class player who is certain to thrill Nottingham's packed centre court,'' tournament director Patrick Hughesman said in a statement.

REUTERS BJR VV1747