The Historic Return of Female Tennis Players to Queen's Club After 52 Years

After a 52-year hiatus, female tennis players are making a historic return to Queen's Club, marking a significant moment in the sport's evolution. The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has announced that the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 500 event, previously held at Eastbourne, will now take place at Queen's Club. This move is part of a broader commitment to the growth and visibility of women's tennis.

Why the Return?

The decision to bring female players back to Queen's Club is driven by several factors. Firstly, the LTA aims to elevate the profile of women's tennis, especially at the start of the grass-court season. Scott Lloyd, LTA chief executive, emphasized the importance of offering both men's and women's tennis on the biggest stages to develop the tournaments and increase profitability and visibility.

Historical Context

Queen's Club has a rich history in tennis. Both men's and women's tournaments were held there under the name the London Grass Court Championship until 1973. The women's tournament was discontinued after 1973, and the men's event was not held from 1974 to 1976. The men's event returned in 1977 as the Queen's Club Championships, while the women's event found a new home in Eastbourne.

Tournament Details

The women's tournament will take place from June 9 to 15, followed by the men's event from June 16 to 22. This two-week festival of tennis is expected to attract a strong lineup, including 10 of the world's top 20 female players. Notable participants include Emma Raducanu, Qinwen Zheng, and Elena Rybakina.

Challenges and Future Plans

Male players have raised concerns about the quality of the grass and the availability of courts for early preparation. The LTA has agreed to undertake a review after this year's events. Additionally, the LTA has pledged to introduce equal prize money at the grass-court tournaments at Queen's and Eastbourne by 2029.

Conclusion

The return of female tennis players to Queen's Club is a landmark event that underscores the ongoing efforts to promote gender equality in sports. This historic move is expected to enhance the visibility and popularity of women's tennis, setting a precedent for future tournaments.

Image source: Getty Images Image caption: Olga Morozova beat Evonne Goolagong in the 1973 Queen's final