"Those grass courts are absolutely fantastic!": Martina Navratilova voices concern as Eastbourne International mooted for downgrade
WTAWednesday, 17 April 2024 at 19:30
Martina
Navratilova has expressed concern about the Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA)
plan for the Eastbourne International ahead of its 50th anniversary. The
tournament is likely to be downgraded to a WTA 250 event, which would restrict
the number of top-30 players to a maximum of three.
The LTA's
plan is to create a new women's event at Queens that precedes the men's
version. This event would take place one week after the French Open to kick off
the Grass season. This would be a significant blow to the Eastbourne
International, considering it has been played since 1974 and has been the
premier women's tournament as a warm-up to Wimbledon.
Navratilova
holds the record for the most individual titles in Eastbourne with 11 trophies:
"That would be a shame,” posted the 18-times Grand Slam champion. “Those
grass courts are absolutely fantastic!"
"I've
got lots of great memories. I've been playing there since its conception in
1974, so I feel we have sort of grown up together. It's always nice to be there
because there's such a relaxing atmosphere.
"You
can walk to the courts from the hotel and walk to the restaurants, you don't
even need a car. When the weather is good it's as good a place to be as any,
especially in the build up to a Grand Slam. It's as good as it gets
really."
Madison Keys is the reigning champion at Eastbourne International
LTA's Chief
Executive Officer, Scott Lloyd, has stated that the proposed move to London is
driven by the potential increase in earnings that would come with relocating
the event:
“The reality of that location [Eastbourne] is commercially limited
to some degree. Given we invest in that temporary infrastructure for Queen’s
each year, we think we will be successful in selling out and giving the women’s
event that level of visibility, which is greater. It’s not about looking to
concentrate our tournaments in London, so to speak.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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