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Rothesay Open Nottingham

Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre 14 - 22 June 2025

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Laura Robson chatting to Cam Norrie at Wimbledon 2023
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British titles, schedule challenges & what’s ahead in 2024 – Laura Robson on her first year as Tournament Director in Nottingham

• 4 MINUTE READ

As far as first years on the job go – 2023 couldn’t have been much better for Rothesay Nottingham Open Tournament Director Laura Robson.

The former British No.1 and Olympic silver medallist took on the job last year alongside her role working in the media as she continued to adapt to life after retirement.

Last year’s tournament would have felt like a dream for the 30-year-old – four British champions, sell-out finals days and activations for thousands of kids and families in the local area to see and enjoy tennis.

Now just a couple of weeks away from the start of the event, we caught up with Robson to hear all about her experiences as Tournament Director so far, challenges she faces, the British success in Nottingham and what to look forward to in 2024.

“I’d done a few events before, but this was definitely a big step up with it being a combined WTA and ATP Challenger event,” she said.

“I think last year went really well and we were pretty much sold out throughout the week. I know a lot of that was to do with Andy (Murray) playing but it meant we had a lot of people come who might not have ever been to the tournament before and hopefully they want to come back again because they really enjoyed themselves."

I always want the Brits to do well because it’s more interesting for the fans and then to have four women’s quarter-finalists was just incredible.

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In 2023 there was certainly something in the air for the Brits in Nottingham. Not only was it Robson’s first year, but there were four British players in the women’s quarter-finals, champions in both singles and the men’s doubles and a first WTA trophy for home-favourite Katie Boulter.

“Last year was amazing,” Robson said. “I always want the Brits to do well because it’s more interesting for the fans and then to have four women’s quarter-finalists was just incredible.

“For Katie, there have been health issues, lots of ups and downs but I always knew she had that level in her, and it felt like a long time coming. To win the title at her home tournament was an amazing result for her, spurred her on for the rest of the season.

“I’m glad I got to be a part of it, and I hope there will be more Brits in the final this year.”

It seemed only fitting that Robson’s first year on the job would see her hand over the titles to a long-time friend in Boulter as well as Olympic and Hopman Cup teammate Murray.

While it was a special moment for Robson, it also marked a pivotal milestone in Boulter’s career and the British No.1 is already the first name to confirm her place for this year’s tournament as well.

2023-Andy-Murray-Rothesay-Open-Nottigham-title.jpg

“It was so nice to have that moment with them – even though they all tried to embarrass me in their speech,” she joked.

“It was amazing having been friends with them for so many years and knowing their journeys and what they’ve been through.

“I think it’s the consistency that has made the biggest difference for her. When you’re healthy and you feel like you can play a full schedule, I think that brings a lot of confidence because you’re not worried about how the body is feeling, you can just go out and play your tennis.

“It’s amazing to see her bring that confidence against top players now and start to get those top 20 wins and progress well at big tournaments.

“I think the sky’s the limit – there’s not too much for her to defend this year and I think she can have a real crack at breaking into the top 20 next. But she does have to defend Nottingham first!"

I think people come back because it’s a unique chance to watch some of the world’s best players up close.

The transition from player to Tournament Director has presented itself with a lot of new challenges that Robson confessed she had never really considered during her time on court.

From organising food vendors to the construction of a stadium on-site – behind-the-scenes there is a lot of ongoing work that perhaps goes under the radar. Robson picked out match scheduling as one of the biggest challenges they face in real-time throughout the week.

2022-Katie-Boulter-fans-Rothesay-Open-Nottingham.jpg

“Scheduling is always one of the hardest parts of the job,” she admitted. “As a player you always think it’s pretty easy but that’s definitely not the case.

“People are in singles and doubles, some are travelling from other events and you don’t know when they will arrive and it’s a challenge because you want to put out the best possible schedule on the day.

“We do the TV schedule months in advance but you’re always having to change and adapt. Last year for example with Andy, his semi-final was meant to be on Court 1, which was never going to happen, so we need to be flexible.

“It’s one of those things that requires input from lots of different people and it can be really tough to come to any kind of ‘perfect’ solution but we do our best.”

This year’s event will take place from 8-16 June, once again welcoming thousands of tennis fans to come and watch some of the best players in the world do battle.

There are still limited tickets available and for those who might not have theirs yet, here’s why Robson thinks it’s one of the best tickets in the calendar.

Katie Boulter's First WTA Title! | Best Moments | Rothesay Nottingham Open | LTA

“It’s such a fun day out and it’s really accessible as well. For the fans, I think the early stages are just amazing. Obviously, the finals are brilliant, but on the Monday and Tuesday there are just so many matches on, singles, doubles, women and men so it’s a chance to see as much tennis as possible, which was always my favourite part of going as a fan.

“Ticket sales are up from this time last year which is great, and I think that has a lot to do with the success from 2023 and the publicity it got from the likes of Katie (Boulter), Jodie (Burrage) and all the girls doing so well and Andy of course.

“I think people come back because it’s a unique chance to watch some of the world’s best players up close. Katie coming in last year was outside the top 100 and now she’s in the top 30 so it’s a great showcase for the best of the Brits and then we’ve got lots of international stars in the works as well.

“I’m just looking forward to getting started now.”

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