WIMBLEDON 2016 hero Marcus Willis has been given a wild card into the main draw – but only for doubles.
He and fellow Brit Jay Clarke will go straight into the first round of the men’s doubles.
But Willis will have to battle his way through three qualifying matches to earn a spot in the main draw for the singles, having won SIX matches all the way from pre-qualifying last year in order to reach that stage.
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Willis’ world ranking of No387 is not high enough on its own even to earn a place in qualifying, and the All England Club’s decision gives him a leg up in the singles and the chance to prove himself again.
Davis Cup hero James Ward has been given a free pass into the first round for the second year running.
Ward, who has just returned to the tour after nine months out injured, will be joined there by fellow Brits Cameron Norrie and Brydan Klein.
That means Britain should have at least SEVEN men in the first round.
World No1 Andy Murray, Kyle Edmund, Dan Evans and Aljaz Bedene will all be in the main draw as of right because of their ranking – provided Evans and Bedene shake off calf and wrist injuries respectively.
Heather Watson, Laura Robson, Naomi Broady and Katie Boulter have all received wild cards into the first round, where they will join British No1 Jo Konta.
Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov, the 2016 junior champion, will also go straight into the main draw, despite his Davis Cup disgrace.
Shapovalov, 18, was defaulted and so handed February’s tie to Great Britain, after hitting a ball away in frustration and striking the umpire during his match against Edmund.
German veteran Tommy Haas has also been given a wild card.
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