Wild Cards for this year’s Aegon Classic in Birmingham which starts next week have been awarded to British players Heather Watson, Johanna Konta and Naomi Broady.
British No.2 Heather Watson who recently broke back into the world’s top 100, will be making her fifth consecutive appearance at the Edgbaston Priory Club and will be looking to continue her rich vein of form which saw her qualify for Roland Garros and go on to make the second round.
Speaking about the upcoming tournament, Heather said: “Birmingham will be my first tournament on the grass this year and I’m so excited to be playing in front of the home crowd. I absolutely love this time of year. There’s such a buzz about our sport and to have the home fans supporting you along the way is amazing. I’m feeling fit and healthy, and hopefully I’ll give everyone something to cheer about.”
Heather’s British Aegon Fed Cup team-mate Johanna Konta who is currently sitting at a career high ranking of 102 in the world, will be making her second appearance on the grass in Birmingham.
Konta added: “You can’t beat competing at home. It makes such a massive difference to have the crowd cheering you on and I’m really looking forward to my first match in Birmingham. It is the perfect preparation for Wimbledon.”
Naomi Broady, the British No.4 is also enjoying a career high ranking after winning two professional tournaments in as many months. In 2011 Naomi came through qualifying to reach the second round and pushed the then world number 20 all the way, eventually losing out on a third set tie-break.
Watson, Konta and Broady will join a host of top international players including Canadian rising star Eugenie Bouchard who has made the semi-finals of Roland Garros, Serbian players Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic, last year’s Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki and Australian former French Open champion Sam Stosur.
On Sunday 15 June on finals day of the Aegon Classic, British Tennis will be hosting ‘Rally for Bally’ in memory of former British number one Elena Baltacha who lost her battle against liver cancer earlier this month.
An all-star line-up in Birmingham will follow the women’s singles final, and will see Anne Keothavong, Tim Henman, Martina Navratilova and Jamie Murray join forces to play a mixed doubles exhibition match to raise money for the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis, as well as the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Mixed doubles matches will also take place on the same day at the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club, and at the Aegon International in Eastbourne. To donate to this incredible cause go to www.JustGiving.com/RallyforBally or text EBAL60 with the amount you wish to donate to 70070.