Andy Murray and Johanna Konta will be among those eligible to enter a series of tennis events – called the…
Murray, Konta eligible for British Tour tennis series in July
Wimbledon may be cancelled, but tennis will be staged in the UK this year (PA Images)
Andy Murray and Johanna Konta will be among those eligible to enter a series of tennis events – called the British Tour – in July, the LTA have announced.
The LTA have established four British Tour tennis events that are scheduled to take place over consecutive weeks from July 3-26, acting as a replacement for Wimbledon, which was cancelled for the first time in 75 years.
All four tournaments will be held at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre in Roehampton – subject to confirmation of government safety requirements. The facility has already been approved as a training venue.
Each event will be comprised of 32 singles players – 16 men and 16 women, with participation open to the highest-ranked players with an LTA membership number.
That means the likes of Murray, Konta, Kyle Edmund, Dan Evans, Heather Watson and more will be able to enter the tournaments, should they wish to do so.
The tournaments are set to be staged over three days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), with a one-day doubles shootout for eight teams played under the FAST4 format at each Premier event.
Two Premier-level tournaments will be held in week two and four, with each offering over £16,000 in total prize money, with the singles champions receiving £2,250.
Furthermore, the LTA has increased total prize money at each tournament by 50 per cent – and for the first time in history, all players from the first round onwards will receive prize money to help assist those struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Since the coronavirus crisis, we have been working incredibly hard to support all our players, venues, coaches and officials through this very challenging time. I’m delighted to announce today the next stage of elite tennis’ return to competing safely behind closed doors as part of a five-phase plan coordinated by UK Sport with Government,” said Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive.
“The LTA is actively engaged in developing the necessary guidelines for behind closed doors events, which we hope will be determined by the Government in the coming weeks to ensure the safest environment for anyone involved in returning to competition and look forward to bringing tennis back into people’s lives this summer.”
The LTA’s announcement comes as new reports emerged stating Andy Murray is planning on making his comeback to tennis at a tournament organised by brother Jamie next month.
According to The Times, Jamie Murray has organised a tournament that will mark the resumption of tennis in Great Britain, with the format replicating the season-ending ATP Finals.
The top-eight British male players will compete in two groups, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals. It’s believed the event will also take place in Roehampton, beginning on June 22.
