Richard returns to Nottingham next week for the Red Letter Days Open as the defending champion and in the first round he will face Ivan Navarro Pastor.
It was this time last year that Richard proved his pedigree by winning his maiden title in Nottingham. After injury worries have plagued him during recent months he returns to the main draw unseeded.
This will be a first time meeting between the Frenchman and the Spaniard on the ATP tour but they did play once on the Challenger circuit in Italy, 2005, where Richard won in straight sets.
Richard is in the top quarter of the draw and should he progress through the first round he would play either Bracciali or Almagro with a potential quarter final meeting against Thomas Johansson.
Richard is also in the doubles draw in Nottigham. He has teamed up with his fellow Frenchman, Nicolas Mahut and in the first round the unseeded duo will face O.Rochus/Simon. They will begin their campaign on Monday in Nottingham not before 5pm on court 1.
