LADIES TENNIS NEWS – JO KONTA TO LEAD BRITISH CHARGE AT THE AEGON CLASSIC IN BIRMINGHAM

Written by: Staff on 4th May 2016

LADIES TENNIS NEWS - JO KONTA TO LEAD BRITISH CHARGE AT THE AEGON CLASSIC IN BIRMINGHAM

epa05130575 Johanna Konta of Britain in action against Angelique Kerber of Germany during their semi finals round on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 28 January 2016. EPA/TRACEY NEARMY AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

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 Jo Konta to lead British charge at Aegon Classic Birmingham

British No.1 Johanna Konta will lead the home charge at this year’s Aegon Classic Birmingham. Ranked 22 in the world, Konta is the highest-ranked British woman in 29 years and has already reached the Australian Open semi-finals this year.

That high ranking allowed Konta direct entry into the elite 32-woman singles draw at the WTA Premier event, which will be held June 11-19 at the Edgbaston Priory Club.

Last year’s Aegon Classic runner-up Karolina Pliskova, who lost to Angelique Kerber in an epic final tussle, will also be returning to Birmingham. World No.13 Pliskova was part of a triumphant Czech Republic Fed Cup team last year and has been ranked as high as No.7 in the world.

Konta and Pliskova join an all-star player field in Birmingham this year, packed with international stars including former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, Australian Open winner and defending Aegon Classic champion Kerber, World No.6 Simona Halep, Roland Garros finalist Lucie Safarova and rising American star Madison Keys.

Previous winners of the tournament’s famous Maud Watson Trophy include Billie-Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Ana Ivanovic and Li Na. The tournament is one of the most prestigious showcases of the WTA Tour and, along with the Aegon International Eastbourne, is one of two top level women’s tennis events leading into The Championships, Wimbledon.

Johanna Konta said:

“I’m thrilled to be coming back to Birmingham. I played well there last year and any time you can play on grass, in front of your home crowd, it’s always something special. It’s grown into a fantastic event and I really like Birmingham. I know when the Davis Cup boys played there the city really got behind them. I’m sure it’s going to be the same at the Aegon Classic.”

Patrick Hughesman, Tournament Director for the Aegon Classic Birmingham, said:

“We are delighted with our incredibly strong line-up this year and Jo is a wonderful addition to that. She is enjoying a fantastic season, which has seen her rise to the brink of the World’s Top 20; so with her grass court experience so she will certainly be a contender for the title. The British players are always well supported in Birmingham and I think people will relish the chance to cheer her on.”

Tara McGregor-Woodhams, Head of Brand and Sponsorship Aegon UK, commented:

“We look forward to once again welcoming the stars of the women’s game to the Aegon Classic Birmingham. The Edgbaston Priory Club has some of the best grass courts in the world and 2016 promises to be another memorable year.”

Tickets to the Aegon Classic are now on general sale via https://www.lta.org.uk/major-events/aegon-classic-birmingham/ 

For more information and to get your tickets search ‘Aegon Classic Birmingham’

For hospitality package enquiries email hospitality@aegonclassic.co.uk