Roger warms up for Wimbledon

MARIA SHARAPOVA last night pulled out of next week’s Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham, following on from Rafael Nadal’s more expected withdrawal from Queen’s, but Roger Federer has stepped up his Wimbledon preparations.

Last year, it was announced that there was a two-year commitment from the Russian to play the pre-Wimbledon tournament in return for a controversial wildcard as she came back from a doping ban.

But Sharapova, who had earlier been announced as playing, said: ‘I need to take care of my body and make sure I stay healthy and sometimes that means you have to take tough decisions.’

Nadal’s withdrawal was less of a surprise, especially as this is the third straight year he has given Queen’s a miss.

He said that 27 matches on the clay had taken too much of a toll, with his knees often a problem on grass these days.

‘I have spoken to my doctors and I need to listen to what my body is telling me,’ said Nadal, who did not suggest his Wimbledon appearance is under threat.

Meanwhile, Federer played his first match since March 24 yesterday when, after skipping the clay court season, he defeated Germany’s Mischa Zverev 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart (left).

‘Three months is a long time, it’s longer than the year-end break, so I’m very happy returning on good terms on to the Tour,’ Federer explained.

‘It was difficult, I missed some chances in the first set.

‘He connected well at the right times. And then I found a way, I found my rhythm.

‘I’m very happy with how I played. I’m super happy to be back on Tour. It’s been a great start,’ added the Swiss.