Following its absence in 2020, the Birmingham Classic is set to return to Edgbaston Priory Club from 12 to 20 June along with an ITF2 wheelchair event. The event forms part of a series of grass court events leading up to The Championships, Wimbledon, which is planned to take place from 28 June to 11 July 2021.
Whilst it remains too early to commit to what level of attendance will be possible at the Birmingham Classic, the club is working with the LTA on a range of scenarios and remain optimistic that members and fans will once more be able to watch the world’s best players in action.
The LTA is also working closely with the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport, The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), WTA, ATP, ITF, Sports Ground Safety Authority, other NGBs, our host venues and numerous partners and suppliers in order to develop its planning for events that provide a safe environment for players, officials, volunteers, and spectators.
Scott Lloyd, Chief Executive of the LTA said:
“It remains a very challenging time for the whole country, but we are cautiously looking forward to the summer and what we hope will be the return of the British grass court season. We know how much fans want to come back, and the sport isn’t the same without them, so we are planning for their return and hoping that circumstances will make that possible.”
The Birmingham Classic is just one of a number of grass court tournaments in the lead up to The Championships at Wimbledon planned for summer 2021 and include:
- The Nottingham Open WTA 250 from 5th June at the Nottingham Tennis Centre.
- The cinch Championships ATP 500 at The Queen’s Club in London and the Birmingham Classic WTA 250 at the Edgbaston Priory Club along with ITF2 Wheelchair events at both venues.
- The Eastbourne International combined WTA 500 and ATP 250 at Devonshire Park on 19th June.
- The British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships will also take place in Nottingham between 20-25th July.
Sally Bolton OBE, Chief Executive of the AELTC, said:
“Providing players with meaningful opportunities to compete and practice on grass ahead of The Championships is critical to the success of The Championships, and indeed to the future of grass court tennis. This is even more important in the context of the cancelled 2020 season. We are pleased to be working closely with the LTA on the grass court season in the UK in order to ensure that these events are able to be staged safely according to UK government and public health guidance and provide players with these valuable competitive opportunities.”
Given the uncertainties that remain around the level of spectator attendance, further details on specific member ticket offers will be released later this year. There will also be further direct communication to all ticket holders who had their tickets rolled over from 2020 in the coming weeks.
Staging live events is exceptionally complicated at present and the club’s focus right now is on working with the LTA to address the logistical challenges, so that we can all look forward to enjoying live tennis and welcoming some of the best players in the world to our great club again.
Once our joint plans for the tournament are finalised we will update all members on how to access tickets to the event.
