LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Dustin Brown, conqueror of Rafael Nadal in the second round of Wimbledon last yearcan look forward to a payday of at least £30,000 ($42,500, 38,000 euros), after receiving one of the wild cards for this year’s tournament yesterday.

The 31-year-old German — whose defeat of Nadal was only his third over a top-10 ranked player in his career — is presently ranked 120 in the world, but reached his first ever ATP Tour semi-final this year in the Open Sud de France.

Others to receive wild cards for the Grand Slam event that gets under way on June 27 include 37-year-old Czech veteran Radek Stepanek, who gave British number one Andy Murray a real scare at the French Open last month, eventually losing in five sets in their first round clash.

His best performance at Wimbledon came in 2006 when he reached the quarter-finals.

In the women’s draw another veteran Slovakia’s 33-year-old former world number five Daniela Hantuchova — a quarter-finalist at the All England club in 2002 — is among those who receives a wild card.

Another six wild cards, three men and three women, will be announced at a later date.

The prize money for a first- round loser has gone up this year to £30,000 from £29,000.