Men and Women's Tennis Merged Events

World Class Men and Women’s Tennis to be Served Up in Eastbourne

The LTA have announced that from June 2009, the men's tennis event, previously held in Nottingham will join the women's international grass court event in Eastbourne.

This means that players such as Andy Murray and Justine Henin could both play at Eastbourne's Devonshire Park.

33 Year History

The International Women’s Open tennis championships have been held in Eastbourne since 1975 and will stay and be joined from next summer by the men’s championships traditionally held in Nottingham. Two of the highest calibre international grass court events will be held in the town, with Eastbourne’s famous Devonshire Park attracting top tennis stars from around the world.

Record Crowds Expected

Last year's women's event attracted the biggest crowds in the tournament's history, selling 36,121 tickets. This year's women's championships are expected to be extremely popular with heightened interest after the news that from next June they will be joined by the men's event too.

Boost for Eastbourne

The women’s event is broadcast on national television and globally through Eurosport, attracting spectators from across the country and bringing nearly £10 million into the town. With the merger of the women's and men's events, Eastbourne's economy will be boosted. Hotels are always very busy and almost half of spectators stay in town for the duration of the tournament.