In a significant development for women’s tennis, Laura Robson has been appointed as the Tournament Director of the new WTA500 event at the Queen’s Club in London. This marks a historic return of women’s tour-level tennis to the iconic venue for the first time in over 50 years.
Robson, a former British No.1 and Olympic Silver medalist, brings a wealth of experience to the role. She previously served as the Tournament Director of the Nottingham Open WTA250/ATP Challenger Event, where she received high praise for her work. Her appointment is part of the LTA’s initiative to involve former players in key roles within the sport.
The new WTA500 event is set to take place the week after the French Open, providing a high-profile platform for top female tennis players. Robson expressed her excitement about the opportunity, stating, “I’m delighted to be taking up this role next summer. It’s very exciting that women’s tennis is returning to the Queen’s Club for the first time in over 50 years. It’s an iconic venue and has been voted Tournament of the Year by the men many times. I’m confident that the women’s event will be just as thrilling and I can’t wait to get started.”
Chris Pollard, the LTA’s Managing Director, Commercial and Operations, also praised Robson’s appointment, saying, “Laura did a fantastic job at Nottingham and received a lot of plaudits from the players. We’re very pleased she will now be taking on this important role at Queen’s next year. We have worked hard to ensure former British players such as Laura and Jamie can continue to use their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the game in this country, and it’s great news they will both be part of our experienced cohort of Tournament Directors.”
With hospitality packages already on sale and general admission tickets set to go on sale early in 2025, anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling addition to the tennis calendar.
Robson’s appointment is a testament to her dedication to the sport and her ability to transition successfully from player to a leadership role. It also highlights the LTA’s commitment to promoting gender equality in tennis administration, with over 70% of its grass-court major events now led by female Tournament Directors.
As the tennis world eagerly awaits the return of women’s tennis to the Queen’s Club, Laura Robson stands ready to lead the charge and ensure the event’s success.