Naomi Broady, Katy Dunne, Gabriella Taylor and Alicia Barnett have been awarded main draw singles wild cards for the Manchester Trophy taking place from 10-16 June at the historic Northern Lawn Tennis Club, West Didsbury.
Broady, from Stockport, trains at the Northern and has played in each of the past two editions of the Manchester Trophy. Currently ranked 406 in singles and 138 in doubles she reached the singles semi-final in 2017 and the doubles final in 2018.
Naomi Broady said: “I’m so happy to have received a singles wild card, obviously it’s a really special tournament for me and to be given the opportunity to play in the main draw is really special.”
Hertfordshire’s Katy Dunne reached a career high singles ranking of 212 in 2018 and will be looking to build on that this year. Having recently won an ITF World Tennis Tour event in Spain she is in good form coming into the British grass court season.
Katy Dunne said: “I’m really happy, it’s nice to be given the opportunity to play another main draw and it’s always great when they see that you are playing good tennis and they reward you for it. I love Manchester, the courts are great and it’s a lovely tournament.”
Southampton’s Gabriella Taylor enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2018, winning three ITF Pro Circuit events in Australia and achieving a career-high ranking of 162 in December. Alicia Barnett had a recent doubles win in April at the ITF World Tennis Tour event in Bolton.
Broady, Dunne, Taylor and Barnett will join Heather Watson flying the British flag in the main draw which will start on Tuesday 11 June, following qualifying matches on Monday 10 June. Emily Appleton and Victoria Allen have been awarded qualifying wild cards.
View the full player entry list.
LTA Tournament Director Richard Joyner said: “We’re delighted to have Naomi, Katy, Gabriella and Alicia playing at the Manchester Trophy. Naomi has been a great supporter of the event and we know she is always happy to have to opportunity to play in front of family and friends in her hometown. Katy, Gabriella and Alicia joining fellow Brit Heather in the main draw helps to make up a very strong field for this year’s event and we are looking forward to getting under way on Monday.”
Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Schools, Culture and Leisure, Councillor Luthfur Rahman, said: “We're proud to celebrate and encourage tennis here in Manchester and the Manchester Trophy is an important part of our strong calendar of world class sporting events. This event provides a great chance to watch elite players in action and also offers plenty of opportunities for women and girls to try the sport for themselves.
"Encouraging more women and girls to get active is one of our key priorities and the Manchester Trophy adds to a long list of top women's sporting events hosted here this year, to help us achieve this goal."
Alongside the main event from 10-16 June a host of activities for children and ticket holders will be taking place throughout the week including the Quorn Family Cup for parents and children, the Team Challenge, giving local players an opportunity to play on world class grass courts and She Rallies, aimed at getting more women and girls engaged in the sport. Around 700 local school children will also have the chance to visit the event and experience world class live tennis.
Catch courtside action this summer
Watch the stars in action and secure your ticket today. Tickets start from £9 plus booking fee with free entry for children ages 16 and under with a paying adult.