Wimbledon warm-up event scrapped

The build-up to Wimbledon will have a different look from 2009, with a new joint men's and women's tournament planned for Eastbourne.

The LTA is changing the calendar as it looks for an "umbrella sponsor".

Nottingham's ATP event will be discontinued after this year, and from 2009 the men will join the women's grass-court event in Eastbourne.

In 2010, the venue for the Birmingham women's event will be determined by a bidding process.

Eastbourne is the UK's biggest women's tournament after Wimbledon.

Nottingham has been going since 1995, but the Lawn Tennis Association are keen to attract "a younger crowd" to Eastbourne, according to BBC Radio 5 Live tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend.

Roger Draper, chief executive of the LTA, said: "The new, co-ordinated calendar will help raise the profile of the sport nationally and enhance the experience for fans, players and spectators.

"We are confident that the changes will help to re-energise the calendar and open up the sport to a new audience as well as offering a better experience for existing fans.

"The bidding process in 2010 further opens up the calendar and means that new venues have the option of bidding to host world-class tennis.

"This is at the heart of the LTA's new commercial strategy where we hope to position a lead partner as the umbrella sponsor of British tennis.

"The commercial strategy is bringing together all elements of the sport from schools to elite players and provides a real opportunity for us to build a strong partnership with a brand."

Jamie Murray claimed the 2007 doubles at Nottingham with Eric Butorac, while Ivo Karlovic took the singles - a title won twice by Greg Rusedski.

Justine Henin beat Amelie Mauresmo to win the 2007 Eastbourne title.

In 2010, the venue for the women's tournament currently held in Birmingham will be determined by a bidding process.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7337663.stm


Are they really gonna scrap Queen's???? :blink:

I believe Queens is the week before that so that won't be scrapped. It's Nottingham they are scrapping.

ah, i thought that when they said they'd have a joint men's and women's tournament it'd be Queen's and Eastbourne, not Nottingham and Eastbourne.....I know, i should learn to read before i post :P

I think that sucks, because let's face it all the tennis we have is down South here, and having something further North widens the audience and access locally.

Anyway a younger crowd at Eastbourne? You gotta be joking, the same older reitred locals will go :rolleyes:

Nottingham is not exactly north is it? just a couple of hours..
anyway, not a lot of top male players play during the week before a GS..

Justine may not enter Eastbourne this year to save some energy to last long!!

I know, I come form there! :lol:

Well it's certainly more central, Eastbourne is smack on the coast obviously, so I thought it would be easier for folks to get to form all areas. :)

i doubt many notts folks would like to be called southern though :kpow: :hide:

Absolutely not! :lol:

Even I'm afradi to go back cos I have picke dup Southernisms :lol:

Exactly - if they really think they will attract higher-ranked players by moving the event from Nottingham to Eastbourne, I really doubt it ... :shrug:

If they had a grass-court season that was as long as the clay season, it wouldn't be a problem ...

that'd be nice *sighs*

The clay season is a joke this year 3 masters in 4 weeks all because of bloody college basket ball and ESPN its bullshit.


The clay season is my favourite part. It is the hard court seasonthat must be shortened to accomodate for Grass.

it almost makes me want to go to Eastbourne :o

:blink: