Highly-decorated Grand Slam finalist Lucie Safarova will begin her summer on grass at the Aegon Open Nottingham, which runs between June 10 and 18.
The 30-year-old former World No. 5 and four-time doubles major winner is among 10 top 50 players, including Britain’s World No. 7 Johanna Konta, last year’s Aegon Open Nottingham runner-up Alison Riske and 2015 finalist Monica Niculescu, who are set to feature in the East Midlands.
Australia’s Ashleigh Barty, the former Wimbledon girls champion who reached the quarter-final stage of the Aegon Open last year in her first WTA event back on court after a stint playing cricket, will return to Nottingham – a city where she has enjoyed title success in the past.
Early bird tickets for the Aegon Open Nottingham are available until Thursday 4 May (close)
Safarova, the 2015 French Open runner-up, who also reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon a year earlier and has seven WTA singles titles to her name, is set to feature at the Nottingham Tennis Centre for the first time in her career.
Olympic bronze medallist Safarova, who has helped the Czech Republic win four Fed Cup titles since 2011, said: “I’m excited about starting my grass-court season and preparations for Wimbledon at the Aegon Open Nottingham, a tournament that I’ve never been to before, but have heard many great things about.
“It will be a new challenge for me this year, but I know it is one I’m going to enjoy because Nottingham looks like a great city and the courts have an excellent reputation.
“Time on grass during the British summer is very important and The Aegon Open Nottingham is a tournament that offers the perfect chance to find my feet and rhythm.”
Safarova joins a star-studded line-up that is sure to excite British crowds, with Konta joined by GB Fed Cup teammate Heather Watson as the top local hopes.
It will be a historic year for the Aegon Open, which for the first time in 44 years features combined women’s and men’s tournaments, with British Davis Cup ace Dan Evans headlining the $150K ATP Challenger Tour event.
George Donnelly, the Aegon Open Nottingham WTA Tournament Director, said: “‘We are delighted Lucie will be making her first appearance this year at the Aegon Open Nottingham.
“Lucie is an entertaining player, and along with Alison Riske and Monica Niculescu, is an exciting addition to our world-class player field’.
For a full player entry list, more information and to purchase tickets, search ‘Aegon Open Nottingham’
Please visit the tournament website for information on the hospitality packages head to or contact Elliot Sheasby by email at aegonopen@lta.org.uk