The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has announced today that British No.1 Johanna Konta will play at the Aegon Open Nottingham WTA event in June.
Konta, the 2016 Australian Open semifinalist is joining a world class player line-up at this summer’s pre-Wimbledon event. Other players already confirmed for the tournament include two-former world No.1s, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki, and fellow British star Heather Watson.
Konta will be returning to Nottingham after her good run at the tournament preceded a remarkable rise in the rankings in 2015. Her stellar rise has seen Konta reach No.21 in the world - the highest ranked British player in 30 years - defeating four top-10 players along the way, including Venus Williams.
The nation's top three players are set to feature in Nottingham. British No. 3 Naomi Broady is among a field that sees 18-year-old Croatian Ana Konjuh return to the Nottingham Tennis Centre to defend her Aegon Open title.
The Aegon Open Nottingham will see two tournaments take place in June, the women’s WTA event taking place from 4-12 June 2016. Both tournaments will be an integral part of the British grass court season, which features 11 international grass-court tournaments in eight venues across the country.
Speaking on the announcement, Konta said: “I'm really excited to be kicking off my grass-court season at Nottingham. I have played there many times and always enjoy the support I get from the fans.
“I had a good run at the tournament last year, which was the start of a great summer for me. It’s a really strong player field this year, which is great for the tournament and I’m hoping for more success in Nottingham.”
The Aegon Open Nottingham (WTA) Tournament Director, Rebecca James, said: “We are delighted to have Johanna join the Aegon Open Nottingham line-up this year. She is a fan favourite in the city and her success at the event at Nottingham Tennis Centre in 2015 captivated the crowd and now she returns as British No. 1 with Grand Slam semi-final experience.
"With fellow Briton Naomi Broady and defending champion Ana Konjuh adding their names to the list alongside Heather Watson, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki, it makes for a truly impressive player field that will provide such great entertainment for the fans”
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture said: "What fantastic news that another British star, Jo Konta is set to play at the Aegon Open in Nottingham. It’s a great draw with lots of amazing international talent for the city to showcase. We are also extremely proud to welcome back defending champion Ana Konjuh who obviously enjoyed her experience in the city last year. I’m sure she’ll receive a warm welcome from the Nottingham crowds."
Tara McGregor-Woodhams, Head of Brand and Sponsorship Aegon UK, commented: “The Aegon Open Nottingham was a fantastic addition to the grass court calendar last year and we are delighted to welcome many stars from the WTA tour to the city to begin their grass court preparations. With a double Grand Slam champion in Victoria Azarenka already confirmed, we have no doubt the fans will have an amazing week in Nottingham.”
Fans still have time grab tickets to watch Konta at the Aegon Open Nottingham at early bird prices, with the discounted offering expiring on Thursday, 28 April. Go to https://www.lta.org.uk/major-events/aegon-open-nottingham, or search ‘Aegon Open Nottingham’ for more details. Tickets start from just £5.
For information on the hospitality packages on offer at The Aegon Open Nottingham head to http://www.lta.org.uk/major-events/aegon-open-nottingham/nottingham-hospitality/ or contact Elliot Sheasby on aegonopen@lta.org.uk
This month the LTA announced exciting changes to the three week 2017 grass court tournament calendar. Nottingham will host a combined men’s and women’s tour-level tournament in the same week for the first time in 44 years. The pre-existing ATP 250 tournament will move back to Eastbourne, merging with the WTA Premier Aegon International to form a combined event (as it was from 2009-2014) featuring the following format: a 28-player main draw men’s event and 48-player main draw for the women staged across nine days. Other changes include a doubling of prize money at the Aegon Trophy Series (ATP Challenger & ITF Women’s Pro Circuit) creating the highest value circuit at this level in world tennis.