The inaugural Aegon Open Nottingham WTA event has attracted more than 10,000 people through the gates of the Nottingham Tennis Centre.
Among the crowds of tennis fans there were also nearly 2,000 youngsters from across Nottinghamshire, who hit the courts for the Highlands Springs Mini Tennis Festival.
Additionally, a ball crew made up of 50 children were at the very heart of the action along with 100 volunteers from Nottingham, the wider East Midlands and United Kingdom also volunteering their time to make the inaugural Aegon Open Nottingham a huge success.
While rain forced action into a 10th day on Monday, staff at Nottingham Tennis Centre provided support to enable the Aegon Open Nottingham to reach a successful conclusion under radiant sunshine and brilliant blue skies.
Held 6th-15th June, the tournament attracted headline names, headed by top seed and former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanka, but it finished with emerging talent, 17-year-old Ana Konjuh collecting The Elena Baltacha Trophy with a 1-6 6-4 6-2 win over Romania’s Monica Niculescu in the final.
Aegon Open Nottingham Tournament Director, Rebecca James said: “We have had a fantastic extended stay to complete the Aegon Open Nottingham and the help and support of the Nottingham City Council has been brilliant after we moved into an extra day’s play.
“The backing of fans over the span of all 10 days was marvellous and each and every person who has attended the WTA event has contributed to making it a success.
“We have had great feedback from players, comparing these grass courts to those at Wimbledon, praising the facilities at the Nottingham Tennis Centre and talking about just how much they have enjoyed their time in the city.”
Cllr Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “Congratulations to Ana Konjuh, winner of the 2015 Aegon Open Nottingham WTA tournament, on her tremendous performance. We’ve enjoyed a fantastic week of world-class women’s tennis at the Nottingham Tennis Centre, and I’d like to thank all the staff and volunteers who made this event possible, and of course the Lawn Tennis Association for securing this event for Nottingham. I’m looking forward to the start of the men’s Aegon Open Nottingham ATP event in a week’s time, and urge local tennis fans who haven’t yet booked their tickets not to miss out on another superb week of competition.”