Former world No.1 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic is set to hit the grass courts at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham’s Edgbaston Priory Club, from the 9th – 15th June.

The Aegon Classic takes place ahead of The Championships, Wimbledon and is one of the world’s major grass court tournaments. Previous winners include Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova and Maria Sharapova.

Commenting on her announcement to play at the prestigious tournament, Ivanovic said: “Returning to Birmingham for the Aegon Classic is very exciting for me. The tournament has a very intimate setting giving the perfect introduction to the grass court season. I’m looking forward getting out on the grass back in Birmingham this June.”

David Macmillan, Chief Marketing Officer, Aegon UK, added: “We can look forward to enjoying world class tennis this summer at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham with quality players like Ana Ivanovic being confirmed along with last year’s Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki.”  

Ivanovic’s announcement comes as a charity exhibition match has been revealed for the final day at the Aegon Classic on Sunday 15th June. The ‘Rally for Bally’ will see 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, Anne Keothavong, Tim Henman and Jamie Murray compete in a mixed-doubles exhibition match to raise money for  the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, after former British number one Elena Baltacha announced that she had been diagnosed with liver cancer earlier this year.