Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has added her illustrious name to this year’s glittering Aegon Classic Birmingham draw.
Kvitova won Wimbledon singles titles in 2011 and 2014 and is one of the most accomplished female grasscourt players of her generation.
Petra Kvitova said: “I’m really looking forward to coming back to Birmingham for the first time since 2008! That’s a long time and I know that the tournament has grown so much and made a lot of improvements since then. It’s important for me to get the best possible preparation on grass this year so adding Birmingham to my schedule is the perfect opportunity.”
Kvitova joins some of the brightest stars of the women’s game at the Edgbaston Priory Club, where the WTA Premier event gets underway on Saturday 11th June. The tournament is one of the most prestigious showcases of the WTA Tour and, along with the Aegon Open Nottingham and the Aegon International Eastbourne, is one of three world-class women’s tennis events leading into The Championships, Wimbledon.
Reigning Australian Open champion, and last year’s winner, Angelique Kerber had already confirmed her entry to the elite 32-player draw, along with World No.6 Simona Halep, former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, 2015 French Open runner-up Lucie Safarova and last year’s Wimbledon quarter-finalist Madison Keys. British support will be behind World No.21 Johanna Konta, who has enjoyed a hugely successful last twelve months.
Aegon Classic Birmingham is the region’s most prestigious annual women’s sporting event and has long been a showcase for world class sport. Famous tennis names including Billie-Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Ana Ivanovic and Li Na have all lifted the Maud Watson Trophy. It is one of two WTA Premier events played on grass in the lead up to Wimbledon, along with Aegon International Eastbourne.
Tournament Director Patrick Hughesman said: “Petra has a fantastic grass court pedigree and her two Wimbledon titles speak for themselves. I’m delighted that she has chosen to come in Birmingham. Our player field this year is one of the best in the tournament’s history and we’re delighted that we’ve become the tournament the very best players in the world want to be part of.”
Tara McGregor-Woodhams, Head of Brand and Sponsorship Aegon UK, commented: “We look forward to once again welcoming the stars of the women’s game to the Aegon Classic Birmingham. The Edgbaston Priory Club has some of the best grass courts in the world and 2016 promises to be another memorable year.”
Tickets to the Aegon Classic Birmingham are now on general sale.
https://www.lta.org.uk/major-events/aegon-classic-birmingham/aegon-classic-tickets/
For more information and to get your tickets search ‘Aegon Classic Birmingham’. For hospitality package enquiries email hospitality@aegonclassic.co.uk