Former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will be one of the top stars on court at the Aegon International this summer.
Kvitova, No.6 in the world, was runner-up to Marion Bartoli of France at the Aegon International in 2011, before securing a stunning victory in her first Wimbledon final the following month. Later that year, she reached a career-high world No.2 ranking and won the WTA Tour Championships at her first attempt.
Following her third consecutive top 10 ranked season in 2013, the left hander will be looking for a strong performance at the historic tournament which has seen winners such as Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Virginia Wade, Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters.
Commenting on her announcement to play at the tournament, Kvitova said: “I'm really excited to play at the Aegon International in Eastbourne again this year, especially on the 40th anniversary of the tournament. It's a great event to play and I'm hoping it will be a good start to my grass-court season in the UK. I can't wait to get back on the grass!"
David Macmillan, Chief Marketing Officer, Aegon UK, added: “The Aegon International is always a fantastic tournament and it’s great to have a world class player, and former Wimbledon Champion, like Petra Kvitova competing this year.”
Kvitova’s announcement comes as a charity exhibition match has been revealed for the first day of the Aegon International on Sunday 15th June. The ‘Rally for Bally’ will see former world No.4 Greg Rusedski and former Wimbledon men’s doubles champion Jonny Marray on opposite teams in a mixed-doubles exhibition match which will also include some of Britain’s top female players. The match will 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.
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