Emma Raducanu’s first match on home soil

It seems hard to believe but it was only one year ago at the Nottingham Tennis Centre that Emma Raducanu played her first WTA match… how much has changed in a year!

Since then, she’s gone on to win the US Open title – the first qualifier ever to lift a major – reached the fourth round at Wimbledon and led Great Britain in her Billie Jean King Cup debut.

After a whirlwind year that has seen her rise to world No.12, Raducanu returns to Nottingham this week to play her first match back in Great Britain to kick start her grass court season. Her first match will be up against Viktorija Golubic, which could set up an exciting match up against Heather Watson in a clash between the British No.1 and No.2.

The first top 5 player to compete at Nottingham

This year’s stellar Rothesay Open Nottingham player line-up will welcome a top 5 ranked WTA player for the first time with Greece’s Maria Sakkari set to compete for the Elena Baltacha Trophy.

World No.3 Sakkari is a two-time quarter-finalist in Nottingham (2017 and 2019) and comes into this year’s event having reached the final in Indian Wells, Doha and St Petersburg this season.

An aggressive baseline hitter with a lot of power behind her groundstrokes, Sakkari is one of the most exciting players to watch on tour and definitely not to be missed in Nottingham…

The best of British on show

Ready to back the Brits in Nottingham this year? Well, you’ll have plenty to shout about!

In the WTA draw, Raducanu is joined by fan favourite Watson who will compete at the Nottingham Tennis Centre for a sixth time, alongside Billie Jean King Cup star Harriet Dart, Surbiton Trophy semi-finalist Jodie Burrage and rising star, Sonay Kartal.

On the men’s side, British No.2 Dan Evans will lead the British charge, with Liam Broady, Jay Clarke and Ryan Penistonalso getting direct entry into this year’s competition. Wild cards Paul Jubb and Alastair Gray will also be a tough match-up for any player in the draw.

And that doesn’t even cover the players in qualifying! 2021 quarter-finalist Katie Boulter, Lily Miyazaki, Eden Silva, Beth Grey, Aidan McHugh, Henry Patten and many more are all in with a shot of reaching the main draw.

Former champions back for more

The Rothesay Open Nottingham will welcome back several past champions this year – including Evans, Donna Vekic and Caroline Garcia.

2019 champion Evans is the highest ranked player in the ATP Challenger field and will fancy his chances to have a deep run this year

A former champion and runner-up in Nottingham, Vekic will face a tough match against home-favourite Dart in the opening round, while 2019 winner Garcia takes on Lauren Davis in the first round.

Family fun

There’s much more to Nottingham than just the tennis…

If you and the family have tickets for the Rothesay Open Nottingham this year there’s loads that you can get involved in. From taster sessions to other games and activities around the grounds, there’s plenty going on to keep the whole family entertained.