Latest news with #EdgbastonPrioryClub
BBC News
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Birmingham Tennis Open hosts men for first time in 150 years
For 150 years, professional grass court tennis in Birmingham has been the preserve of women now, as this year's Lexus Birmingham Open gets under way, male players are for the first time serving alongside their female contrast to accusations of sexism that overshadowed the scheduling of matches at the French Open, tournament directors in Birmingham say the move is a "powerful statement that celebrates male and female athletes equally".Held at the Edgbaston Priory Club, it is the first tournament played on grass this season in the build-up to this year's Wimbledon championships. While Leyla Organ, director of racquets at the priory, does not see it as a "downgrade", the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) event is for the first time since 2021 a "challenger" tournament. Moving from a WTA 250 in 2024 to a WTA 125, it means players will win fewer ranking points and prize money on offer is lower."'We don't view the tournament as a downgrade or relegation as it's a brand-new event, welcoming both men and women to the club for the first time in our 150-year history," said Ms Organ."The combined format offers a completely new atmosphere and environment for young fans and aspiring players to be inspired by the game in their city." With the mix of male and female players, it means there are now seven courts of action for fans to tournament will bring new players to the grass, as well as familiar locals like Dan Evans who will be playing on home turf. The newly revamped grass courts are attracting players to make their debut off hard courts and those who are climbing in the ranks from matches earlier in the matches for the tournament continue later before the competitive matches begin in earnest on Monday.
The Herald Scotland
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Evans relishing prospect of maiden Lexus Birmingham Open
Now the LTA's exciting new summer grass court calendar sees a men's ATP Challenger tournament added to the schedule alongside a women's tournament at the Edgbaston Priory Club for the first time, with Evans a star attraction for the fans to follow when the Lexus Birmingham Open gets underway on May 31. Evans, 34, has practiced on the immaculate Edgbaston Priory Club grass courts over the course of a career that has seen him win two ATP Tour titles and reach a career-high ranking of No.21, but the chance to play in front of his home fans in Birmingham in a competitive tournament is setting his pulse racing. 'It's going to be nice to play at home,' said Evans, whose only previous appearance in Birmingham came in a Davis Cup tie for Great Britain against Japan alongside Andy Murray in 2016. 'Edgbaston Priory Club has always had some of the best grass courts in the country, so it's going to be great preparation for the rest of the grass court season. 'I practice at Edgbaston Priory Club when I am at home. It's a really good club and from my perspective, I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to play a tournament at an established club that has a great track record for staging such a historic women's event.' Evans started his tennis story at West Warwicks Tennis Club in Solihull and admits he didn't expect his first steps onto court would lead to a career that has seen him perform on the game's biggest states, including playing doubles alongside two-time former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray in the final tournament of his career at last summer's Olympic Games. 'I played every sport when I was growing up and remember having my first lessons at the West Warwicks Tennis Club,' continues Evans. 'I must have been pretty decent because the coach encouraged me to carry on playing the sport. 'I played county tennis for Warwickshire. We had a pretty good team at the time, but I was not thinking back then that I could have a career as a tennis player. I played because I enjoyed the sport and I didn't believe I could ever have a career as a professional until I was much older. 'I was always competitive and wanted to win matches, but I didn't know if I was any good and when I started out in the juniors, I wasn't one of the best players. 'It was not until I was 16 or 17 that I started to realise I could take it further and going to the LTA's Academy in Loughborough was important for me. Leighton Alfred and Mark Taylor were the coaches looking after me and at that point, tennis started to take on a different path for me.' Now Evans is preparing to test his skills on grass courts once again, after previous successes winning the titles in LTA tournaments at Surbiton and Nottingham. 'It's always good to play on grass,' he added. 'It's such a different surface from what we are used to for most of the year, but it's nice to play on. 'Historically, British players tend to go out of the French Open a little earlier than we might like, so that gives us a chance to get some time on grass courts ahead of some other players. 'The conditions have changed a little in my time playing on grass. The balls and the court have got a little slower, but it's always a good surface to play on and it's great to play in front of the British fans. 'I have enjoyed some of the best moments of my career on grass and I've won titles in Nottingham and Surbiton in the past, so I know I can deliver on that stage.' The Lexus Birmingham Open kicks off on May 31, with Great Britain's rising star Sonay Kartal among the players who will be playing at the Edgbaston Priory Club in the women's tournament. Tickets for the Lexus Birmingham Open are now on sale at the LTA's website:
Powys County Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Evans targeting memorable Midlands homecoming at Lexus Birmingham Open
Dan Evans hopes to cap a memorable Midlands homecoming when he makes his Lexus Birmingham Open debut next month. The former British No.1, 34, will make his maiden appearance at the Edgbaston Priory Club event as men's tennis joins the initially women's-only competition for the very first time. The new 'mini-Wimbledon' format will kick off a new-look summer grass court season and Birmingham ace Evans, the former world No.21, is targeting an emotional ATP triumph on home soil. 'This summer is going to be extra special for me as I will get the chance to play at my home grass court event in Birmingham for the first time,' said Evans, who played for Great Britain in a Davis Cup tie in Birmingham in 2016. 'It's great that the Lexus Birmingham Open is a mixed event, so the fans get a chance to see even more great tennis at one of the best venues in this country. 'I have enjoyed some of the best moments of my career on grass and I've won titles in Nottingham and Surbiton in the past, so I know I can deliver on that stage. 'Hopefully I can challenge for silverware and bring home the trophy for Birmingham.' The Birmingham tournament has a rich history in women's tennis, with the event that staged at the club since 1982 and won by some of the greats of the game including Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova. With the main draws starting on June 1, the Birmingham Open will be the first major event of the grass court summer, which also includes a brand new women's WTA 500 tournament at The Queen's Club in London. Britain's Billie Jean King Cup team member Harriet Dart has also confirmed she will be playing in Birmingham, with tournament director Kirsty Thomson excited to oversee the starting point of what promises to be a thrilling summer of grass court tennis. 'It's great to have a combined women's and men's event in Birmingham for the first time and we are excited to give the grass court season a fitting start,' she said. 'Birmingham's Edgbaston Priory Club has an incredible history for showcasing world-class tennis and this will continue in June. 'British stars Dan Evans and Harriet Dart have confirmed they are playing and we are looking forward to welcoming more top class players to the Lexus Birmingham Open.'
