Federer to begin grass season in Stuttgart

Roger Federer will begin his grasscourt season at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart.

The 20-time grand-slam champion, having played the past two years at the German tournament, is again skipping the clay season.

The June 9-17 Stuttgart event will be part of the Swiss maestro's preparation for Wimbledon, which begins on July 2.

The 36-year-old lost in 2017 in the second round in Stuttgart and in the semi-finals the year before.