Hewitt to play at Eastbourne

Former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt will be joined by 11 of the world's top-50 players in next month's grasscourt Eastbourne International.

Defending champion Michael Llodra and fellow Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are also playing in the tournament, which comes between Queen's and Wimbledon in the short grasscourt season.

The 30-year-old Hewitt, who won Wimbledon in 2002 but is now ranked No. 66 after a series of injuries, said ''it's a great opportunity for me to prepare for Wimbledon.''

Llodra beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain in straight sets in last year's final at Eastbourne.

The tournament, which also features a women's competition, will be held between June 12-18.