The Lawn Tennis Association has denied suggestions that the Eastbourne women's event is under threat after Hastings Direct withdrew its sponsorship.

The tournament has a tradition of attracting the biggest names in women's tennis as a warm-up ahead of Wimbledon.
And an LTA spokeswoman told BBC Sport: "The tournament is absolutely safe.
"It is not dependent on us getting a new sponsor and everything will run as normal. I'm confident it will continue to attract the sport's finest players."
The likes of Amelie Mauresmo, Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters all use the event as preparation on grass ahead of the SW19 showpiece.

And the LTA insist the withdrawal of Hasting Direct's sponsorship, worth £350,000, will not preclude the tournament continuing to attract the game's top players.
"The sponsorship issue is something for the LTA to worry about. The tournament itself will be exactly the same," explained the spokeswoman.
"I'm sure the finest calibre players will want to compete in the event, as they have always done, especially last year.
"We want to make sure any new sponsor is right for us and right for the tournament. But talks about that are ongoing and in no way affect the event taking place."
The Eastbourne championships will enjoy full coverage on the BBC from 18-24 June

Nice 1! :ok:

Im determined to go this year. Ive been to Birmingham a couple of times but never eastbourne

Im hoping to go this year too! So I hope they don't cancel it. BTW does anyone know if the tickets have gone on sale yet?

I think they have. I went last year so I got sent a letter recently asking if I wanted to go this year...not sure if I can though :(

How come RF? I hopefully will be able to; I've got my uni exams but I think they finish the week or two before :)

Out of interest where does Serena usually play her wimbledon warm up?

Eastbourne??

RG is Serena's Wimbledon warm up ;)

roflmao roflmao roflmao Good one. It strangely is. Anyway, I wouldnt bother warming up in some hostel like tournament either, if I had a £5 million home with four courts of various surfaces.

I might be away that week - my exams finish a the end of may - might be able to go, who knows....Elena never plays there, she always opts for Rosmalen

Good :D

I've never been to the tournament (which is odd, considering I live only 45 minutes away), but it's nice to have a grass warm-up event outside of London.

I've always liked Eastbourne, a good quality event :D

Even though it does look like there's a cyclone passing through at times with the wind roflmao

Booked my tickets for the Ladies' Final now :clap:
Hopefully it won't rain :pray:

that should be pretty sweet for you SW :D

I've booked tickets too now :D

For the semis and the final :clap:

Me too!

In the North Stand.

Now just need to find a hotel in Eastbourne for the night!

I'm in the North Stand too :)

How much LDF?

It's £28 per individual for the semis, and £29 for the final. :)

Oooh thats cheap!!!! The only problem is, its about 6 hours away from me :( I will sleep on it tonight and may book tomorrow

I know, I was pleasantly surprised by the prices :o :D

Eastbourne is so close to me...I don't really know why I haven't been before :lol:

Looks like there'll be a little CC get together down Eastbourne way :lol:

I know, I was gonna say we should all meet and have a little 'CC chat' roflmao

Can anyone recommend good hotels in Eastbourne? :)

I can't really help when it comes to suggesting good accomodation... :huh:

Which stand are you going to be in for the final, SW?

I've forgotten :doh: Im looking accross the court though. I will let you know though when I get my tickets :D

I have been to eastbourne once, Sveta v Hantuchokaova final.
Daniela true to form choked serving for the match and lost in 3! :doh:

I find that expensive :wacko:

I won't be going, as I'm lazy, and I don't see a point, as a certain player won't play there :angry: :(

Wouldn't it be weird if you were able to recognise any CC poster from their South Park pics?!! roflmao

And highly unlikely too, I'd guess.. unless SW wanders around wiedling an axe ;)

Eastbourne should be good fun though.. the final last year was a great match :ok:

Yeah ive heard Eastbourne is a great place to go and watch tennis although i cant go for many reasons but the main one is how far i would have to travel but i wish i could go.

Anyway have fun the people who are going. :)

Oh how weird seeing somebody from a forum in real life! :blink:

Well have fun!

I am doing the Grass Court Tour 2008!lol

My dad says i can go the summer after my GCSE's!

Make sure you take lots of photos! :P

I'm also going!!!!!!!! I'll be there on 19th, 20th and 21st and I'm staying in the Grand (where all the players stay)!!! :P

I went there last year for 2 days and had an absolutely fabulous time. The weather was so hot that I came back a similar colour as I'd come back from the Caribbean and I didn't sunbathe for one minute!!!

It's an absolutely fantastic tournament and place. The players walk around and sit on benches and read, you can watch them practice and it's not like Wimbledon where there are fences all around, these practice courts are open and you are only a couple of footsteps away from the court!!!

I know you'll all enjoy it!!!!

Hmmm... from what all you guys are saying. It sounds like it may be a good tournament. I think I may have a go to get tickets myself.

We can have a CC meet and drink!
:D

Wow, half the board is heading to Eastbourne :lol:

You should come too Dav, it's gonna be fun by the sound of it roflmao

And QJ you rich bitch :o That hotel is like a pricey 5 star one; I saw it when I was browsing for somewhere to stay! Im staying in the york house hotel on the seafront, which is only three star but sounds nice :D

Glad you recommend Eastbourne; it always seems to have a nice really laid back atmosphere when you watch it on the telly and it's always been one of my favourite tournaments to watch :)

Yeah, I'll get the ferry over, just like old times roflmao

roflmao I suppose it is a bit more of a trek for you :wacko: