Eastbourne, England - French Open tennis champion Svetlana Kuznetsova will make her 2009 grass debut next week after being given a wild card entry into the Eastbourne tune-up tournament beginning Monday.

Despite having the best intentions of playing again this year, the Russian ranked fifth apparently got her timings confused.

"Somehow I managed to forget to enter this year so I really appreciate the opportunity to play here again," said the 23-year-old.

"I'm looking forward to playing on the grass courts next week."

Kuznetsova has played the event on four previous occasions, lifting the 2004 title.

The final week of play before the June 22 start of Wimbledon will feature a men's field for the first time at Devonshire Park.

Organizers also handed a free entry to Briton Anne Keothavong, the national number one, who will try to come good after failing to win a match in four previous main draw appearances.

The men's field lost injured Gael Monfils, who had to quit this week in Queen's with a wrist injury.(dpa)