You could be forgiven for thinking that all that Britain has to offer the tennis world is strawberries and cream at Wimbledon, but nestled in the annual tennis calendar are 2 other special events. Last week the Cinch Championships at Queen’s Club (14-20 June 2021) and Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club’s Eastbourne International (19-26 June 2021), went on sale - and interest has been predictably high!
There is lots that makes these 2 tournaments such fan favourites, not least the esteemed venues in which they are held. Queen’s Club is an iconic tennis venue, steeped in a rich heritage, which is exhibited by its beautiful pavilion that is more regal than any other ATP 500 grandstand! A little way down the road in East Sussex, Eastbourne is just as picturesque; what it doesn’t have in terms of grandiose stands, it more than makes up for in good old-fashioned seaside appeal. The Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club is the perfect setting for this family-friendly WTA 500 tournament.
Both locations have proven popular with players as well as fans, and 2021 is no different. At Queen’s, there are plenty of Britons in the draw, which is sure to excite even a reduced capacity crowd. Brothers Andy and Jamie Murray will be appearing, having both won titles at this event in recent years, and Dan Evans, who upset the odds to oust Novak Djokovic in Monte-Carlo last month, is also set to play on his preferred surface.
The Eastbourne draw is yet to be formally announced, but you can be sure it will be filled with prestigious names and up-and-coming talents. Stars such as Virginia Wade, Martina Navratilova, and Caroline Wozniacki have all won on the South coast, and the tournament’s crucial role as a warm-up event for Wimbledon ensures that its 3 show courts are always packed with talent!
Although the United Kingdom has this week opened-up indoor spaces for socialising, outdoor events are still being opened gradually, so crowds at both events will still be at about 25% of their usual capacity. Tickets are therefore likely to sell out sooner rather than later.
There is however, a great range of tickets still available for both tournaments: at the Cinch Championships, there are Standard tickets on Centre Court available for all 7 days of the tournament, many of them situated in the East stand’s sweeping embankment. At Eastbourne there are Court 1 and Court 2 tickets up for grabs, and Category 2 tickets on Centre Court are still available. All show court tickets at Eastbourne also give you an unreserved seat on courts 3, 4, and 5, as well as the practice courts – so you get plenty of tennis, whenever you attend!
It is also well worth considering the hospitality options on offer at the Cinch Championships – there is something for everyone, from the new Baseline package with its focus on exquisite cuisine and an inclusive Centre Court seat, to more premium experiences in the stylish Club Lounge or historic President’s Room.
Due to the limited nature of the general sale crowds this summer, you will need to sign-up for the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) Advantage scheme, which is free to do, before heading back to Koobit to pick your perfect seat! You could be watching great tennis in the sun in no time!