Lexus Nottingham Open 2026: Former champion Jacob Fearnley returns as men's entry list confirmed
• 2 minute read
British star Jacob Fearnley will return to the place where he lifted his first ATP Challenger title two years ago as the entry list for the men's Challenger event at the Lexus Nottingham Open is confirmed.
Fearnley, began his remarkable rise up the rankings in 2024 by winning the Lexus Nottingham Open. Ranked outside the top 500 at the time, he came through qualifying to secure the title - earning him wild cards to the Lexus Eastbourne Open and Wimbledon later that summer, before picking up titles in Lincoln, Rennes and Orleans to break the top 100 for the first time.
Alongside Fearnley, France’s Valentin Royer is the highest ranked player on this summer’s entry list at 74 in the world. Reigning Lexus Birmingham Open champion Otto Virtanen will look to add to his haul of grass court titles, and Norway’s rising star Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, who faced Fearnely in the Davis Cup qualifiers in Oslo in January, will also be looking to make his mark.
Lexus Nottingham Open entry list
The announcement of the men’s entry list follows a stacked women’s entry list for this year’s tournament last week which is led by world No.17 Iva Jovic. Grand Slam champions Barbora Krejcikova and Jelena Ostapenko, defending champion McCartney Kessler, 2016 champion Karolina Pliskova, and 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez all feature as part of a line-up that includes 18 of the world’s top 50.
As well as the WTA and ATP Challenger draws, the Lexus Nottingham Open will play host to two major disability tennis events. From Friday 19 June, the first-ever Virtus-sanctioned Learning Disability and Autism tennis event will take place, featuring 16 of the world’s best male and female players.
In addition, a wheelchair exhibition event featuring British No.1 Lucy Shuker and 18-time Grand Slam champion Andy Lapthorne will take place.
Amy Hitchinson, Tournament Director of the Lexus Nottingham Open, said, “After announcing a world-class women’s list, we’re thrilled to add a strong men’s list that is sure to thrill fans coming to the Lexus Nottingham Open this summer.
"We’re delighted to welcome back 2024 champion Jacob Fearnley, and with rising stars like Jack Pinnington Jones and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer also set to feature, opening day of the Lexus Nottingham Open can’t come soon enough!”
Tickets are still available for this summer’s Lexus Nottingham Open, with Centre Court tickets starting from £14 for adults and £6 for kids.
Grounds admission tickets start at £12 for adults and, while kids can enter for free.
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