Rafa prefers German cash to British

LONDON (Agencies) The world number 2 has chosen to play at the Gerry Weber Open at Halle instead of his usual Wimbledon warm-up at Queen’s Club next year. Several sources say that he has come to a €850,000 deal to play there instead of the AEGON Championships, staged immediately after the French Open. Chris Kermode, tournament director of the London event, admitted: ‘Rafa will not be with us next year. It’s disappointing, but we know how much he enjoys our event and we hope to be welcoming him back soon.’ Instead, he will be joining friend and rival Roger Federer, who has played at Halle for a number of years. It will also mean that Rafa won't be making a dash for the grass courts immediately after (winning?) the French Open at Roland Garros. And Queen's will still be able to field a strong bevy of players that will include Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, while negotiations are going on with Novak Djokovic.