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8 - 16 June 2019

Nature Valley Open

Nottingham Tennis Centre

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Fed Cup Heroes Katie Boulter and Ashleigh Barty return to Nottingham to battle for the grass court crown

  • 2019 WTA International logo
  • ATP Challenger Tour logo
  • 25/04/2019

  • Nature Valley Open

World top 10 player Ashleigh Barty, who led Australia to their first Fed Cup final since 1993 last weekend - including two singles' victories and the deciding doubles game alongside Sam Stosur - will return to defend her title at the Nature Valley Open.

Rising star Katie Boulter, who played a major part in Great Britain’s victory over Kazakhstan in the Fed Cup last weekend that returned GB to the World Group level for the first time since 1993, will also return to Nottingham where she was a quarter-finalist last year.

Earlier this year, Barty reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and won her fourth WTA title in March when she won the prestigious Miami Open.

Nottingham is a fantastic way for me to start my Wimbledon preparation

The 23-year-old beat Karolina Pliskova in the final from a field of 96, including all of the world’s top 10, to catapult her to her current career-high ranking of No.9.

Barty said: “I can't wait to return to Nottingham this year to defend my title. I love playing on the UK grass courts and Nottingham is a fantastic way for me to start my Wimbledon preparation. 

“I have some great memories from this tournament over the past three years and 2018 was very special to come away with the win. I hope I can be there again on women's finals day.”

Boulter, the current British No.2, has broken into the world’s top 100 in the past year and her thrilling three-set victory over Zarina Diyas at the weekend confirmed GB’s Fed Cup promotion with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan.

The 22-year-old had a breakout year in 2018 and her run to the last eight in Nottingham last year included an impressive victory over Sam Stosur.

Nottingham is one of the highlights of the year for me

Boulter said: “Playing in the East Midlands, so close to home, is very special for me and I am excited to be returning to Nottingham to play on the excellent grass courts. 

“Playing for my country in Fed Cup this year has given me some of the best moments of my career so far. Playing in, and winning, big matches is what I want to do week in, week out and I can’t wait to get back out on court in front of a home crowd.  

“Nottingham is one of the highlights of the year for me and I am really looking forward to it.”

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