Dustin Brown, conqueror of Rafael Nadal in the second round of Wimbledon last year, can look forward to a pay day of at least £30,000 ($42,500, 38,000 euros), after receiving one of the wildcards for this year’s tournament on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old German -- whose defeat of Nadal was only his third over a top-10 ranked player in his career -- is presently ranked 120 in the world but reached his first ever ATP Tour semi-final this year in the Open Sud de France.
Others to receive wildcards for the Grand Slam event that gets under way on June 27 include 37-year-old Czech veteran Radek Stepanek, who gave British number one Andy Murray a real scare at the French Open last month before eventually losing in five sets in their first-round clash.
His best performance at Wimbledon came in 2006 when he reached the quarter-finals.
In the women’s draw, another veteran, Slovakia’s 33-year-old former world number five Daniela Hantuchova -- a quarter-finalist at the All England club in 2002 -- is among those who receives a wildcard.
Another six wildcards, three men and three women, will be announced at a later date.
{{/usCountry}}Another six wildcards, three men and three women, will be announced at a later date.
{{/usCountry}}The prize money for a first-round loser has gone up this year to £30,000 from £29,000.