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Nadal reveals new bid to topple Federer

World No.1 Rafael Nadal has stepped up his bid to topple Roger Federer and condemn an eight-year Wimbledon drought to history.

The Spaniard is full steam ahead with planning this year's schedule despite being on the mend from an injury suffered in the Australian Open quarter-finals.

And his first major move has arrived, with Nadal confirming overnight that he intends to play the Queen's warm-up tournament in London for the first time since 2015.

"It is going to be the 10th anniversary of my victory in 2008," he said.

"It's a great memory, winning there and three weeks later winning Wimbledon. It was an unforgettable year. I am very excited to be coming back and playing Queen's again."

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Will the great rivals meet at Wimbledon? Pic: Getty
Will the great rivals meet at Wimbledon? Pic: Getty

Nadal skipped the grass-court event last year after taking out the French Open for his first major win in three years.

Fatigue and a lack of preparation came to the fore when he subsequently lost to Gilles Muller in a five-set epic in the fourth round.

Federer, who skipped the entire clay season to concentrate on Wimbledon, went on to take out his second grand slam title of 2017.

But Nadal's tilt at Queen's will send a warning that the 31-year-old isn't done chasing championships on grass.

His best performances at Wimbledon have always come after he has played at Queen's.

He reached the Wimbledon final five times between 2006 and 2011, winning in 2008 and 2010 -- with both titles coming after reaching the quarter-finals at Queen's.

It remains to be seen if Federer will tackle the French Open with the same enthusiasm Nadal is showing towards Wimbledon.

Nadal is expected to return to action at the Mexican Open in Acapulco at the end of February.

Meanwhile, former Wimbledon winner Andy Murray is targeting Queen's as his first tournament back from last month's hip surgery.

The Scottish champion has a contract to play Queen's for the rest of his career.