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17 - 23 June 2019

Fever-Tree Championships

The Queen's Club

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Fever-Tree Championships: Wheelchair Championships returns and new junior tournament announced in memory of Paul Hutchins

  • 26/04/2019

  • Fever-Tree Championships

This year’s Fever-Tree Wheelchair Tennis Championships is to be the first ever grass-court wheelchair tennis ranking tournament to take place outside of Wimbledon.

After a successful launch as an exhibition event last year, the tournament returns for 2019 with an elevated status as a fully-fledged event on the ITF’s UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour, with ranking points at stake. The tournament will feature eight of the leading players in the world as they bid to claim the trophy won by Sweden’s Stefan Olsson last year. It will be held at The Queen’s Club from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 June, meaning it falls within the qualification period for the Paralympics and ranking points will contribute towards Tokyo 2020.

Tournament Director Stephen Farrow, said: ‘Last year’s tournament was a huge success and we are delighted to be able to run it as a tour event with ranking points this year. Wheelchair tennis is a great sport for fans to watch, and the event is a fantastic addition to the Fever-Tree Championships.’ 

A new 18 and under team competition will also be hosted at this year’s event in order to give a new opportunity to up-and-coming talent while also paying tribute to the late Paul Hutchins, Britain’s long-time Davis Cup captain, who died last month.

The Paul Hutchins Trophy will see Great Britain take on the United States in an annual event played on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd June at The Queen’s Club, with four junior players from each nation representing their respective countries. 

Tournament Director Stephen Farrow, said: “This event will introduce some of the stars of the future to the Fever-Tree Championships experience, which is something I have wanted to do since I became Tournament Director. Naming the event after Paul is only fitting. He was an inspiration to so many of us in British tennis, he was incredibly passionate about junior tennis, and he loved country vs. country competition. We look forward to welcoming the players of both teams to The Queen’s Club in June."

Ross Hutchins, Paul’s son, said: ‘The Paul Hutchins Trophy is a fantastic way to honour my Dad. I know he would have been very proud of this and would have loved to have been able to watch the younger players compete at such an iconic location. I’m sure it will be an excellent event.’

The players competing in the Paul Hutchins Trophy will be announced in the coming weeks. 

How to watch the action live

Fans will be able to purchase ground passes via the Fever-Tree Championships website to gain access to watch the action.  Anyone with Fever-Tree Championships Centre Court tickets for the Friday, Saturday or Sunday will also have the added bonus of being able to watch the wheelchair tennis action as well as the Paul Hutchins Trophy.  Players due to compete in the event will be announced in May.