CANADIAN TENNIS STAR GENIE BOUCHARD JOINS GIORGI, STOLLAR AND SINIAKOVA IN WEEKEND OF WORLD-CLASS TENNIS IN BIRMINGHAM NATURE VALLEY CLASSIC

Eugenie Bouchard of Canada in action against Sachia Vickery of the USA during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at the Indian Well Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, USA, 07 March 2018. EPA-EFE/JOHN G. MABANGLO

 

 

Bouchard joins Giorgi, Stollar and Siniakova in weekend of world-class tennis in Birmingham

 

Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard, Italian No.1 Camilla Giorgi, rising Hungarian star Fanny Stollar and Czech dynamo Katerina Siniakova will be taking to the courts in the Nature Valley Classic qualifying rounds this weekend at the Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham.

 

Bouchard, who was runner-up to Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon in 2014, has also been a semi-finalist at the US Open and Roland Garros and is a former Top 5 player. She is one of the many world-class players who will compete on the Edgbaston Priory Club’s famous grass courts on Saturday and Sunday, playing for the chance to join reigning Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza, British No.1 Johanna Konta, defending Birmingham champion Kvitova and a host of other Top 20 players in the main draw.

 

Siniakova is now ranked 40 in the world but was ranked outside the cut-off when main draw entries closed six weeks ago. World No.49 Giorgi and 19-year-old Stollar will also be looking to stake their claim for a main draw place.

 

Nature Valley Classic tickets for this weekend cost just £10 and with favourable weather forecast for both days the tournament is set to deliver a memorable weekend of world-class tennis. There is plenty of entertainment on offer, including a chance to see rhythm and blues band Ricky Cool and the In Crowd playing live on Sunday. The tournament’s open-air bar, dining and barbecue areas will all be open for business and anyone needing a caffeine hit will enjoy this year’s new coffee bar.

 

To whet appetites ahead of The Championships, Wimbledon, which begin just eight days after the end of the Classic, visitors to the tournament this weekend can discover the history, technology and science that goes into creating the grass tennis courts like those at the Edgbaston Priory Club. Fans can also take photos of themselves with replicas of the Wimbledon Singles’ Champions Trophies and watch highlights from every Wimbledon singles final since 1970 as part of the exhibition’s ‘Great on Grass’ section. You can even step in the shoes of Muguruza herself, thanks to a specially-made mould of the Wimbledon champion’s feet.

 

Bouchard said: ”I always love playing on grass and I’m looking forward to getting back out there and hopefully getting some matches here. Birmingham is a great place to do that. I enjoy the courts and the city. Qualifying here will be a big ask because it’s a very strong field just to get into the main draw, but I’m feeling good and ready for the challenge and hopefully a few people will come down to cheer me on.”

 

The Nature Valley Classic consistently attracts the world’s top players looking to finalise their preparations before the third Grand Slam tournament of the year, The Championships, Wimbledon. The Nature Valley Classic takes places from the 16th – 24thJune and tickets are selling fast for 2018, book yours today at www.lta.org.uk/major-events.

 

For more information on this year’s Nature Valley Classic and to buy tickets visit www.lta.org.uk/major-events

 

FAST FACTS ABOUT 2018 NATURE VALLEY CLASSIC

LEVEL: Premier

CITY: BIRMINGHAM

COUNTRY: GREAT BRITAIN

TOTAL PRIZEMONEY: $871,028 (USD)

SINGLES CHAMPION RECEIVES: $163,085

DATE: Jun 18 – Jun 24, 2018 (qualifying 16-17 June)

SURFACE: Grass

• visit www.lta.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @BritishTennis

 

Don’t miss out on your ticket to summer! Catch world-class players in action at one of the British Tennis events, formed of the Nature Valley Open, Nature Valley Classic, Nature Valley International, Fever-Tree Championships and Fuzion 100 Trophy Series. Secure your seat as tickets are selling fast. Book now at www.lta.org.uk/major-events