Opera-singing sensation Laura Wright has been confirmed to perform at the opening ceremony of this year’s Aegon Classic ladies tennis tournament in Birmingham, on Sunday 9th June.

The 22 year-old soprano will entertain a confirmed crowd of 2000 at a one-off exhibition mixed doubles match between Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski, Heather Watson and one other player to be confirmed; taking place to mark the official grand opening of the new centre court at the Edgbaston Priory Club, following a multi-million pound refurbishment.

Laura is no stranger to performing at big ticket sporting events such as this, having sang the UK National Anthem at a number of Six Nations Rugby matches at Twickenham,  as well as the FA cup Final and the Carling Cup final, to name but a few.

Laura may well be charting a successful music career, but her love of sport makes performing at events like the Aegon Classic extra special.

She comments: “I am a huge tennis fan, so to be asked to open the show at one of the UK’s most prestigious ladies tennis tournaments in the calendar is a real honour for me. I competed at county level up to the age of 16 years old and have won a fair few tournaments in my time. I will be extremely excited to perform on the new centre court and get the crowd ready for the exhibition match featuring Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski and Heather Watson.”

Patrick Hughesman, Tournament Director of the Aegon Classic said: “Laura’s performance at the grand opening of the new centre court guarantees to add a sense of occasion to the proceedings, that only comes with live opera.

“We are delighted to have three of the best names in world-tennis play on the new centre court before the UK’s most prestigious all-female tennis tournament, the Aegon Classic, gets into full swing from Monday 10th to Sunday 16th June.

“I am sure the crowd will feel suitably patriotic once Laura has performed and ready to watch some world class tennis, right here in Edgbaston.”

Offering a chance to see first rate tennis, the Aegon Classic is one of the UK’s major warm-up tournaments ahead of The Championships, Wimbledon, returning to Birmingham’s Edgbaston Priory Club for the 32nd year.

The new centre court is part of a £5 million investment by the LTA into the Edgbaston Priory Club to provide a world class tournament venue for the players. The new facilities also include a six court indoor tennis centre and four new outside grass courts.

The centre court grand opening tournament has sold out. Tickets for the Aegon Classic, including Ladies Day on Thursday 13th June, are still on sale priced from £5 for children (aged 16 and under) and £10 for adults at www.aegonclassic.co.uk/tickets.