Eastbourne Tennis: Concerns raised over plans to downgrade historic tennis tournament

The Guardian reported that The Lawn Tennis Association is in discussions to bring women’s tennis back to the Queen’s Club in Barons Court, west London, for the first time since 1973 with a new high-profile event at the beginning of the grass-court season, downgrading Eastbourne’s International tournament to only feature three top-30 players.

Eastbourne will remain in its traditional place, in the week before Wimbledon, but is likely to be downgraded to WTA 250 status if the plans are approved. This means fewer ranking points will be awarded, and prize money could potentially fall, as well as meaning that only three top-30 players could play. In 2023, seven of the top ten players entered Eastbourne.

Should the Queen’s women’s event happen, Eastbourne would be downgraded to a WTA 250 event. This would have significant repercussions for the tournament since the WTA now significantly restricts the number of WTA 250 events that top-10 players can compete in.

In an interview with the Guardian, Scott Lloyd, the chief executive of the LTA said: “The reality of that location (Eastbourne) is commercially limited to some degree.

“We just think that having a WTA 500 in week one of a three-week gap straight after Roland Garros would raise the profile of top-level tennis in that period, straight after the clay-court season.

“It’s not about looking to concentrate our tournaments in London, so to speak. We still absolutely support our other venues throughout that calendar as the way we always have done, and indeed as you see us doing with Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup, whether it’s Glasgow, Manchester or Coventry.”

Eastbourne Borough Council said that, following the proposal, council leader Stephen Holt and MP Caroline Ansell will meet with the LTA to confirm the plans at Devonshire Park.

A spokesperson for Eastbourne Borough Council said: “The tradition of tennis in Eastbourne is both strong and long-standing.

“The town will always remain a destination for tennis fans who love visiting the world-renowned and award-winning grass courts within Devonshire Park. It is a unique venue and one that is also valued greatly by the players themselves.

“Regarding discussions about tennis at Queen’s Club, the Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, Councillor Stephen Holt, and the MP for Eastbourne, Caroline Ansell, are meeting with the LTA to confirm on-going plans for international tennis at Devonshire Park.

“This year, Eastbourne celebrates 50 years of international tennis in the town and this history and commitment from all parties is something we are keen to reinforce.”

Former Mayor Graham Marsden said that, if the proposal went ahead, it would be ‘another nail in the coffin’ for Eastbourne’s economy.

He said: “The proposal to downgrade Eastbourne tennis week prior to Wimbledon to a 250 event, and restrict any top players from entering, would be another nail in the coffin for our economy.

"All I can see is an ongoing decline in Eastbourne as a town of worth and substance.”