Which Grand Slam champions have conquered the Lexus Nottingham Open?
• 2 minute read
The Lexus Nottingham Open has long hosted some of the world’s best tennis players.
Over the past five decades, multiple Grand Slam champions have triumphed on the grass in Nottingham, and we're here to look back on some of the most memorable players to have lifted both major titles and the Lexus Nottingham Open crown.
Women's singles Grand Slam champions
Billie Jean King (1972, 1973)
Twelve-time singles Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King is one of the most iconic names to have lifted the Nottingham title.
The American claimed back-to-back titles in 1972 and 1973, first defeating Evonne Goolagong before overcoming Virginia Wade 8-6, 6-4 the following year.
By the time of her success in Nottingham, King had already won Wimbledon, going on to secure a total of six singles titles at SW19 alongside 10 women’s doubles and four mixed doubles crowns - cementing her place amongst the allt-time tennis greats.
Ashleigh Barty (2018)
Ashleigh Barty triumphed on British grass in 2018, defeating Johanna Konta 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in the final.
The victory marked just the second WTA title of her career and her first on grass- an early indication of her future success on the surface.
The following year, Barty lifted the title in Birmingham before going on to win Wimbledon, defeating Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3 to become the first Australian women’s champion at SW19 in 41 years.
She would later add the Australian Open to her resume before retiring from professional tennis in 2022.
Men's singles Grand Slam champions
Stan Smith (1970, 1974)
Former Wimbledon and US Open champion Stan Smith was the first men's singles champion at the Nottingham Open in 1970.
Smith defeated his fellow countryman Chauncey Steele in the final, with a comfortable 6-3, 6-1 victory.
The American is one of five players to have won the tournament twice, but had to wait four years before his second trophy in the East Midlands.
In 1974, Smith beat Alex Metreveli in the men's singles final 6–3, 1–6, 6–3 to get his hands on the trophy once again. It was a big win for Smith against an opponent who had made the Wimbledon singles final the year before.
Thomas Johansson (2001)
Sweden's Thomas Johansson won the Nottingham title during what eventually became the most successful period of his career.
At the 2001 Nottingham Open, Johansson beat former champion Greg Rusedski in the semi-finals before going on to defeat Harel Levy 7-5, 6-3 in the final.
Six months later, the Swedish star went on to win his first and only Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open.
Johansson made the Nottingham final again in 2004, but lost out to Paradorn Srichaphan in three sets.
Andy Murray (2023)
Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray returned to winning ways on grass at the 2023 ATP Challenger event in Nottingham.
Arriving off the back of a title victory in Surbiton, Murray carried his momentum into Nottingham, securing back-to-back Challenger titles with a 6-4, 6-4 win over France’s Arthur Cazaux in the final.
The triumph marked his 10th professional grass-court title, adding to his two Wimbledon crowns (2013, 2016) and five titles at The Queen’s Club. It would prove to be final title of Murray's professional career, adding further significance to his success on home soil.
Marin Cilic (2025)
2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic added his name to the Nottingham roll of honour last year with a superb run to the men’s singles title last year.
The Croatian dropped just one set on his way to lifting the title at the Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre - capping off a dominant week with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Frenchman Hugo Grenier.
Cilic, the 2017 Wimbledon runner-up, used his title-run in Nottingham as a springboard for the rest of the grass court season. The former world No.3 carried his strong form into The Championships at Wimbledon where he made the fourth round - knocking out Britain’s Jack Draper and Spain’s Jaume Munar on his way.
Doubles Grand Slam champions
Along with the singles successes, there are plenty of Grand Slam doubles champions who have also etched their names onto the roll of honour in Nottingham.
Amongst the most notable are the Bryan brothers who won back-to-back men’s doubles title in 2002 and 2003. Bob and Mike Bryan won 16 Grand Slam men’s doubles titles together including three at Wimbledon.
In terms of British interest, four-time men’s doubles major champion Joe Salisbury lifted the title in 2018, while reigning Australian Open doubles winner Neal Skupski has claimed victory in 2017 alongside brother Ken.
Grand Slam champions set to feature in 2026
This year’s WTA line-up will welcome two-time major champion Barbora Krejcikova who will be targeting her second grass court crown this summer.
The Czech star hasn’t claimed any silverware since her run to the Wimbledon ladies singles title in 2024 when she beat Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
Former Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko is also on the line-up for the Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre this year.
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