From rising WTA stars set to debut to the addition of a brand-new ATP Challenger event, we break down four reasons to be excited for the 2025 Lexus Birmingham Open.

The 2025 grass court season is here

While some players are still battling it out on the clay in the second week at Roland Garros, for others it’s the start of a long-awaited summer on the grass.

The tournament, which begins on Saturday 31 May with the qualifying stages, marks the start of a five-week long swing on British soil.

But what can you expect from this year’s tournament in Birmingham? Well, with a strong player field waiting in the wings, everyone will be fighting to get their hands on the first trophy on the grass and add their names to an illustrious roll of honour.

Find out everything you need to know about the Lexus Birmingham Open

ATP players make debut in Birmingham with new Challenger event

As part of a newly revamped grass court calendar for 2025, this year’s edition of the Lexus Birmingham Open will welcome the addition of an ATP Challenger event - the first outdoor professional men’s tennis event to take place in Birmingham.

An ATP Challenger 125 event is set to attract some of the top men’s talent on the tour in what is shaping up to be a blockbuster week of tennis.

Headlining the entry list from a British perspective is home favourite Dan Evans. The Birmingham native has gained plenty of success on British grass over the years, having been crowned a two-time champion at the Lexus Nottingham Open and one at Surbiton. Now, the former British No.1 will set his sights on raising the trophy in front of his home crowd, at the tournament situated just around the corner from where he grew up.

British talent aside, you can also expect to see some of the top international talent on the ATP Challenger tour in action at the Edgbaston Priory Club. Amongst the pack is world No.52 Quentin Halys, former US Open champion Marin Cilic, three-time ATP titlist Nicolas Jarry, 2023 Australian Open doubles champion Rinky Hijikata and Christopher Eubanks.

Don’t want to miss out on the action? There are still tickets available so buy yours now:

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Rising WTA stars look to leave their mark on the grass

This year’s line-up for the WTA event in Birmingham has attracted a standout line-up of established and up-and-coming stars who are ready to leave their mark on the grass.

Amongst some of the most exciting prospects who will be Birmingham-bound is Alexandra Eala, who enjoyed a breakthrough moment in Miami back in March.

The 19-year-old from the Philippines was granted a wild card to the main draw of the WTA 1000 event where she went on to defeat three Grand Slam champions in Madison Keys, Jelena Ostapenko and Iga Swiatek on her way to the semi-finals. As a result, Eala became the first Filipina female tennis player to be ranked inside the top 100 in history and now sits at a career-high ranking of No.69.

While her breakthrough came seemingly out of the blue, the youngster - who has been training at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca since the age of 12 - has become known for her intelligent counterpunching game and aggression which could prove vital to unlocking success on the grass.

Alycia Parks is another star who has been working her way up the rankings in 2025 and will arrive in Birmingham as the highest ranked player in the women’s draw.

The world No.52 embarked on a stellar year in 2024 - winning three WTA 125 titles including her first on the grass at the Veneto Open. Parks has already clinched some memorable wins this season too, having made the semi-finals at the ASB Classic where she beat compatriots Amanda Anisimova and Katie Volynets on her way to the final four.

From a British perspective, 17-year-old Mimi Xu will be one to keep an eye on - a three-time Lexus Junior National Championships winner and former junior world No.8 - as well as recent W35 Nottingham champion Amarni Banks.

Eala, Parks, Xu and Banks are just four of a number of rising stars you’ll want to keep an eye on for the upcoming week ahead.

Top British talent is on display

If there’s one guarantee, it’s that Birmingham will see a whole host of British talent on display and you won’t want to miss it.

Sonay Kartal’s rise up the WTA rankings was initiated almost 12 months ago after the Briton came through qualifying to reach the third round at The Championships, Wimbledon. Fast forward a year, Kartal has etched her name on three ITF titles, claimed a maiden WTA 250 crown in Monastir and cemented her place inside the world’s top 100.

The British No.3 is one of the most exciting prospects in British tennis, and with titles on the clay and hard courts already under her belt, she’ll be hungry to complete the set by adding a grass crown to her haul.

From new breakthroughs to experienced players - Harriet Dart joins Kartal as the second female British tennis player set to take the stage in Birmingham. Dart is a former quarter-finalist in Nottingham, Eastbourne and previously in Birmingham and always brings her best level on home turf.

Jodie Burrage, Heather Watson, Xu and Banks all have wild cards into the women's main draw as well.

On the men’s side, one of last summer’s standout stars, Billy Harris will begin his bid for a first ATP Challenger title at the Edgbaston Priory Club. The 29-year-old stole the headlines following his dominant run on British grass last year, which saw him reach three semi-finals in Surbiton, Nottingham, and Eastbourne, and then reach the quarter-finals at Queen’s.

The Brit joins compatriot Evans in the men’s singles draw, while more details on the players competing in the doubles draw will be available soon.