The summer of tennis – 2024 grass court season preview
• 4 MINUTE READ
We’re just weeks away from the best time in the tennis calendar – the grass court season.
Ahead of the British summer of tennis, we wanted to give you a rundown of all the tournaments and preview what you can expect in 2024.
As a reminder, here are the key tournaments and dates for you to look out for in the build up to Wimbledon:
2024 Grass Court Season
- Lexus Surbiton Trophy (2-9 June)
- Rothesay Open Nottingham (8-16 June)
- cinch Championships (15-23 June)
- Rothesay Classic Birmingham (15-23 June)
- Lexus Ilkley Trophy (15-22 June)
- Rothesay International Eastbourne (22-29 June)
- Lexus British Open Roehampton (30 June – 5 July)
- Wimbledon (1-14 July)
Lexus Surbiton Trophy (2-9 June)
The grass court season kicks off in Surbiton – just five miles from where it will eventually come to a close at the All England Club in Wimbledon.
As the first grass court event of the year, the Lexus Surbiton Trophy always attracts a strong field of British and international stars for a combined ATP Challenger and W100 ITF World Tennis Tour event.
Last year saw plenty of headlines, especially from a British perspective. Andy Murray returned to Surbiton and clinched the title for the first time with a win over Jurij Rodionov – becoming the oldest player to win an ATP Challenger title on grass at 36.
There were four British women in the quarter-finals for the first time in history – including 16-year-old Isabelle Lacy – with Katie Swan going on to finish runner-up.
This year we can expect more of the same. While no players have been confirmed as yet, we can guarantee that the Lexus Surbiton Trophy will once again throw up plenty of drama, excitement and world class tennis.
Rothesay Open Nottingham (8-16 June)
The first WTA event of the British grass court season – the Rothesay Nottingham Open is always a fan favourite.
Combined with an ATP Challenger event, the Rothesay Open Nottingham gives fans a chance to get up close and watch some of the world’s best players in action.
British No.1 Katie Boulter won her first WTA title here last year and has since gone on to reach a career-high ranking at world No.27. The 27-year-old has already confirmed her spot for 2024 as she aims to retain her crown.
Murray also made it back-to-back titles as well as he won the Nottingham title for the first time in his career, ending with that emotional moment with his whole family watching on from the stands.
The Rothesay Open Nottingham is a real family-friendly event and there’s loads happening on-site to get involved with. From LTA Youth to the games and activities area, any fans with tickets this year will have the chance to pick up a racket and play as well.
cinch Championships (15-23 June)
One of the most loved tournaments on the ATP Tour – the cinch Championships returns to The Queen’s Club once again this summer.
Home to incredible champions such as John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt and of course, five-time singles title-holder, Murray – this year’s tournament promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Starting even before the event properly begins – fans can now buy tickets for the qualifying weekend at The Queen’s Club, including a Fan Day on Sunday 16 June.
There is already a star-studded cast of players confirmed for 2024. Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz will bid to continue his incredible form on the grass, while Holger Rune, Alex de Minaur, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe will all be gunning for their first title at the tournament.
Eight Brits have already confirmed their place, including Murray, 2021 runner-up and British No.1 Cam Norrie, rising star Jack Draper, Dan Evans, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski as well as a wheelchair tennis exhibition from Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid.
Rothesay Classic Birmingham (15-23 June)
Held at the Edgbaston Priory Club, the Rothesay Classic Birmingham has been one of the signature events on the WTA Tour since it began back in 1982.
Since then, the tournament has been won 10 times by Wimbledon champions, including the likes of Billie Jean King and Ash Barty.
Last year saw Venus Williams make her return to the grass, while Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko went home with the coveted title.
British No.1 Boulter is so far the first in what promises to be another incredible cast of players set to contest the title in 2024.
The Rothesay Classic Birmingham should be a bucket list tournament for any British tennis fan and with more action and excitement promised again this year, what better time to go?
Lexus Ilkley Trophy (15-22 June)
One of the hidden gems of the grass court season, the Lexus Ilkley Trophy welcomes many of the games’ rising stars to battle it out to be crowned champions.
The Lexus Ilkley Trophy is an ATP Challenger and W100 tournament which is played at one of the most picturesque venues on the tours – the Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club.
Britain’s Jodie Burrage was a former finalist here back in 2022 before going on to reach the final in Nottingham last year and break into the top 100, while 2023 saw stand-out performances from Sonay Kartal and Charles Broom.
Tickets for the Lexus Ilkley Trophy are still available, so don’t miss out on securing your seats this summer.
Rothesay International Eastbourne (22-29 June)
Tennis heads to the South Coast for the only combined WTA and ATP Tour event on grass – the Rothesay International Eastbourne.
Celebrating it’s 50-year anniversary in 2024, the Rothesay International Eastbourne has long been the primary destination for the top players in both the women’s and men’s game in the week leading up to Wimbledon.
Last year saw seven of the WTA top 10 included on the entry list including Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur and this season reigning champion Maddison Keys, Naomi Osaka and Boulter are already confirmed.
As well as the WTA and ATP events, there will also be men’s, women’s and quad ITF wheelchair tennis events as well – showcasing many of the sport’s top talents.
The Rothesay International Eastbourne is the ultimate tennis fan experience. Get courtside on the outside courts to watch some of the biggest and best players in action, take advantage of a wide range of stores from our partners and enjoy more world class tennis on our Centre Court.
One thing’s for sure – you won’t want to miss the Rothesay International Eastbourne this summer…
Lexus British Open Roehampton (30 June – 5 July)
The best wheelchair tennis players on the planet are set to compete at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton this summer as part of a new look for the Lexus British Open Roehampton.
Having usually taken place in Nottingham during August, this year the tournament has moved forward to give players better preparation for Wimbledon and the Paralympics and will be played on grass courts for the first time.
World No.1 Hewett and 25-time major champion Reid are the first two players to confirm their places, with many more expected to follow.
Tickets are now available for the Lexus British Open Roehampton, which also gives you access to watch the J300 Roehampton junior event – the main warm-up tournament before The Championships.
Buy Lexus British Open Roehampton tickets
Wimbledon (1-14 July)
And so, we arrive at The Championships, Wimbledon – the oldest and arguably most famous tennis tournament in the world.
Set at the All England Tenis Club in London, Wimbledon is the third Grand Slam tournament in the calendar and has played host to many of the sport’s most historic moments and champions.
Last year saw Alcaraz win his first title at SW19, while Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova became the first unseeded woman to lift the women’s singles trophy in the Open Era.
Great Britain saw four champions across the tournament. Skupski became the first Brit to win the men’s doubles since 2012 alongside Dutchman Wesley Koolhof, as Hewett and Reid sealed their fifth wheelchair doubles crown. Henry Searle also became the first Briton to win the boy’s singles title for 61 years.
As the world’s eyes get set to turn to South West London at the beginning of the July, there will be plenty of storylines for British fan to look out for.
A return for two-time champion Murray, a strong line-up of British women, juniors rising through the ranks and growing legacies in the wheelchair game. Get ready for yet another chapter in the illustrious history of this great event.
