Eastbourne Tennis 2024: History, Memorable Matches in History played, Iconic Players, Location, Size And Everything To Know
The Eastbourne International, held at the historic Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club in Eastbourne, United Kingdom, is a prestigious tennis tournament that serves as a crucial warm-up for Wimbledon. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 edition:
Dates and Format:
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- The main-draw action spans six days, starting on Monday, June 24, and also concluding on Saturday, June 29.
- Qualifying matches took place on June 22 and June 23.
- The tournament is combined with an ATP 250 men’s event, also making it a thrilling showcase of tennis talent.
Classification:
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- WTA Tour: It is classified as a WTA 500 series tournament.
- ATP Tour: Simultaneously, it is part of the ATP Tour 250 series.
Top Players:
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- The field features top-ranked players, including:
- Elena Rybakina (Ranking: 4)
- Also Jessica Pegula (Ranking: 5)
- Jasmine Paolini (Ranking: 7)
- Defending champion Madison Keys rounds out the top seeds.
- Exciting matchups await, like Emma Raducanu also facing Sloane Stephens in the first round.
- The field features top-ranked players, including:
Last Year’s Champions:
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- In 2023, Madison Keys triumphed in the singles final, defeating Daria Kasatkina in a thrilling match.
- Desirae Krawczyk and Demi Schuurs clinched the doubles title, also showcasing their teamwork on the grass courts.
The Venue:
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- Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club has a storied history, and Eastbourne remains a beloved grass-court destination.
- Legends like Martina Navratilova have graced these courts, also etching their names in tennis lore.
History
The Rothesay International Eastbourne has a storied legacy that spans decades. It first graced the tennis calendar in the mid-1970s, making it one of the oldest grass-court tournaments. The tournament became synonymous with the legendary Martina Navratilova. She also dominated the event, winning an incredible 11 singles titles. Her graceful play and also strategic brilliance left an indelible mark on the grass courts of Eastbourne.
Over the years, the tournament has witnessed classic matches that tennis aficionados still reminisce about. Iconic rivalries, nail-biting tiebreaks, and dramatic comebacks have unfolded on these hallowed grounds. The Rothesay International Eastbourne also serves as a crucial warm-up for Wimbledon, the most prestigious Grand Slam on grass. Players use this event to fine-tune their grass-court skills and also adapt to the unique surface. Beyond Navratilova, other tennis luminaries have etched their names in Eastbourne’s history. From Chris Evert to Justine Henin, the list of champions reads like a who’s who of women’s tennis.
