Lexus Birmingham Open 2026: Harriet Dart on grass court preparations & returning in front of the home crowd
• 3 minute read
The grass court season is here and for Britain’s Harriet Dart, it’s her favourite part of the tennis calendar.
The 29-year-old, who is set to compete at the Lexus Birmingham Open as a wild card entry this week, has achieved some of the best results of her career on the grass, making quarter-finals in Birmingham, Nottingham and Eastbourne.
Now coming into the 2026 grass court campaign, the Billie Jean King Cup star is raring to go at the Edgbaston Priory Club, where she’ll face fifth seed and world No.69 Nikola Bartunkova in the opening round.
“I love being back on grass,” said a smiley Dart following her opening round doubles match on Monday. “It’s a surface I feel comfortable on and it’s exciting because it means I’ve got off the clay!
“I haven’t too many days on the surface so far, but I just try and take every hour as it comes. Today I played some doubles and it’s great to get a match under the belt before I play the singles, and getting that time on the surface.”
Dart has plenty of reason for optimism heading into the summer. She has recorded eight top-50 wins during the British grass court season across her career and knows how to maximise her strengths on the surface.
I can use certain things to my advantage but I always expect really tough matches. I will try to reap the benefits of being on home soil and channel the British crowd.
The British No.5 also comes in off the back of a good run of form in the last six months.
In November she claimed the W75 title in Toronto – the biggest of her career so far – and has since gone on to reach finals at the W100 Fujairah and W75 Porto.
With the Lexus Birmingham Open being the first event on grass this year and a lot of players still adjusting to the transition off clay, so this will be a great opportunity for Dart to put her experience to the test.
“For sure it’s important (getting off to a good start in the first event of the summer) but at the same time I know it’s my first week on this surface,” she said.
“It’s challenging you know. I’m just trying to get the lay of the land, get my footwork going and trying get as much time on the grass as possible by hopefully playing a lot of matches. I’m always excited to have these weeks at home.
“I have experience on this surface but everyone who is playing at these tournaments are exceptionally good players. I can use certain things to my advantage but I always expect really tough matches. I will try to reap the benefits of being on home soil and channel the British crowd.
“It’s just me trying to focus on myself and my own game. I’ll be working hard each day and hopefully good things will happen.”
Dart will no doubt still be riding high off the back of her stunning performances for the Lexus Great Britain Billie Jean King Cup team in April.
The world No.171 led the team to an incredible upset victory against Australia, winning both her singles and doubles matches to see GB through to the Finals.
She is one of three members of the squad set to feature in the main draw this week, alongside Mika Stojsavljevic and Katie Swan.
Those types of experiences can give players an added boost when they need it most throughout the season, and Dart will no doubt lean into that in the big matches.
“It was an amazing experience and a great tie to get through. It was exceptionally tough, playing away from home against a strong team who were in good form as well.
“We had a great team – maybe our rankings didn’t reflect that but we all know what each of us is capable of.
“That week especially we really believed. I’m trying build on that and move in a positive way.”
Dart will play Bartunkova at the Lexus Birmingham Open on Tuesday 2 June.
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