{"id":748694,"date":"2026-06-20T11:01:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T11:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/748694\/"},"modified":"2026-06-20T11:01:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T11:01:10","slug":"tennis-tournament-is-gem-in-towns-calendar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/748694\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Tennis tournament is gem in town’s calendar’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eastbourne’s annual tennis tournament is a “gem” in the seaside town’s summer calendar, a councillor has said.<\/p>\n

The Eastbourne Open, which this year runs until Saturday, will see 2024 US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz, 2025 Australian Open winner Madison Keys, and Great Britain star and former world number-four Jack Draper compete.<\/p>\n

Jenny Williams, Eastbourne Borough Council’s cabinet member for tourism, said: “It’s the gem in our summer calendar and literally Eastbourne becomes ‘tennistown’.”<\/p>\n

The tournament brought about 46,000 visitors to the town in 2025, the councillor said.<\/p>\n

“It’s really important to our town’s economy and tourism, we get to showcase our town to millions of folks who watch us online,” Williams added.<\/p>\n

“We really value what it brings to our visitor economy. We have so much fun over seven days.”<\/p>\n

Despite the tournament being downgraded in 2025<\/a>, it has still managed to attract international talent who use the event to prepare for Wimbledon.<\/p>\n

\"Sonay<\/p>\n

Sonay Kartal said she used to go to the event as a child [PA Media]<\/p>\n

Keys, who won the Australian Open in 2025, said: “Eastbourne is an event that means a lot to me, it’s very special to come back as a former champion.<\/p>\n

“I’ve had some great memories here and love playing in front of the fans.”<\/p>\n

Brighton’s Sonay Kartal is also set to play.<\/p>\n

The 24-year-old said: “Eastbourne has always been a special tournament for me. I grew up just a few miles down the road and used to come with my school to watch the world’s best in action.<\/p>\n

“Those early memories were super inspiring and are probably part of the reason I’m where I am today.”<\/p>\n

World number-89 Oksana Selekhmeteva was taking part in the tournament for the first time and said the vibe was “a little bit different compared to London”.<\/p>\n

“It’s [my] first time here so I’m enjoying [it], but of course the big goal is Wimbledon.”<\/p>\n

Rebecca James, tournament director at the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), added: “Devonshire Park is a very special setting.<\/p>\n

“It is the last week before Wimbledon, the last opportunity for players to hone their grass court match practice.”<\/p>\n

She also said it was a “charming setting, being by the sea”.<\/p>\n

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a>, and on Instagram<\/a> and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds<\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/p>\n

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