World No.14 and French No.1, Marion Bartoli, has confirmed she will once again compete at the prestigious all-female tennis tournament, the Aegon Classic, in Birmingham this 9th to 16th June.

Joining some of the world’s top players, including British No. 2, Heather Watson, Marion Bartoli, who is known for her unorthodox style of play, using two hands on both her forehand and backhand, will compete on the grass courts at Edgbaston Priory Club.

Bartoli has a career high ranking of world No.7, which she reached back in January 2012 and has won seven Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles titles. She has also reached the finals of The Championships, Wimbledon, back in 2007 and the semi-finals of the French Open in 2011.

On the announcement of playing at the Aegon Classic at the Edgbaston Priory Club, Bartoli said: “I am really excited about playing at this year’s tournament in Birmingham. I’ve always enjoyed this tournament; the time last I played at the event was in 2008 so it will be great to be back again. I’ve heard they’ve done quite a lot of work to the venue since then so it will be great to see it all!”

Lawrence Robertson, Commercial Director for the LTA, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Marion back to Birmingham once again. She has consistently been in and around the World’s Top 10 for the past five years and her involvement is once again indicative of the quality of players that the Aegon Classic attracts each year.  We’re sure she will be hugely popular with the fans.”

Staged in the heart of Birmingham, the Aegon Classic is one the of the UK’s major warm-up tournaments ahead of The Championships, Wimbledon. Offering the chance to see some of the world’s top international female tennis players, this prestigious tournament is returning to Birmingham’s Edgbaston Priory Club from the 9th to the 16th June.

Tickets are now on sale and are available from www.aegonclassic.co.uk/tickets. Prices start from just £10 on Monday 10 June and go up to £30 on finals day.

For more information, please visit www.aegonclassic.co.uk/tickets or call 0844 209 7359.