A world-class player field has been announced today for the Aegon Classic, staged on the grass courts of the Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham this 9th to the 16th June.
Joining the previously named British No.1 Laura Robson, British No.2 Heather Watson, and world No.14 and French No. 1 Marion Bartoli, the 2013 player line up is one of the most exciting the tournament has ever seen.
The confirmed list includes current doubles co-world No. 1 Italian Roberta Vinci, who rose to a career high of world No. 12 in the singles rankings only last month, and world No. 34 Italian Francesca Schiavone, who had her first victory in 12 months last month in Marrakech.
Grass court pedigree players also confirmed to play include the world No. 30 and Austrian No. 1 Tamira Paszek whose season last year was highlighted by a nine-match grass court winning streak, including winning her third WTA title at the Aegon International, Eastbourne; and world No. 24 Ekaterina Makarova from Russia who achieved her career high ranking of No. 19 early this year in January.
The 2013 Aegon Classic also welcomes back defending champion Melanie Oudin of the USA who is currently ranked world No.98, and 2011’s Aegon Classic winner Sabine Lisicki from Germany, who last year reached the quarter finals of The Championships, Wimbledon, and is only the second woman in history to make it to the Wimbledon semi-finals after entering the tournament as a wild card.
As one the of the UK’s major tournaments ahead of The Championships, Wimbledon, the event has also attracted a host of exciting names set to be rising stars of the sport including, 18-year old Madison Keys from the USA who just this week has had the biggest win of her career beating world No. 5 Li Na in Madrid, 19-year old Kristina Mladenovic of France who only a couple of months ago reached her highest singles ranking of world No. 45, 16-year old Donna Vekíc from Croatia who made it all the way to her first WTA final last year, being the youngest player in six years to do so, and Eugenie Bouchard from Canada who recently broke into the top world 100 and is currently ranked world No. 94 at the age of 19.
Lawrence Robertson, Commercial Director at the LTA, said, “We’re really pleased to announce another top quality player field for this year’s Aegon Classic. This first rate line-up offers visitors to Edgbaston the chance to see world class tennis from global greats, like Bartoli and Vinci, as well as home-grown talents in Heather Watson and Laura Robson.
“With five wild card places still yet to be appointed, we hope to be able to announce more top names participating in the event within the next few weeks. With a great mix of established and rising talent in the field, the tournament is certain to showcase a thrilling week of tennis.”
Staged in the heart of Birmingham, the Aegon Classic offers the chance to see some of the world’s top international female tennis players, returning to the Edgbaston Priory Club for the 32nd time from the 9th to the 16th June. Former winners of the event include Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Pam Shriver, Maria Sharapova, Jelena Jankovic and Li Na.
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.