As the grass court season gathers momentum, a strong field of female players will take to the courts at the Northern Lawn Tennis Club for the Manchester Trophy, taking place 10-16 June.
A quartet of British players have been awarded wild cards for the ITF World Tennis Tour W100 event in West Didsbury, ensuring the home fans will have plenty of local favourites to get behind.
Back the Brits!
Naomi Broady, Katy Dunne and Gabriella Taylor and Alicia Barnett will all be in action in Manchester, with tournament officials eager to hand British talent their opportunity to shine as they were all awarded wild cards.
It will be a home tournament for Stockport-born Broady, who trains at the Northern Lawn Tennis Club and is relishing the chance to play in front of her home crowd.
"I'm so happy to have received a singles wild card," stated Broady. "Obviously it's a really special tournament for me and to be given the opportunity to play in the main draw is really special."
Broady will be joined by compatriots Katy Dunne, Gabriella Taylor and Alicia Barnett in the Manchester Trophy, with Tournament Director Richard Joyner excited looking forward to an event that will allow the home fans to back the Brits.
"We’re delighted to have Naomi, Katy, Gabriella and Alicia playing at the Manchester Trophy," he stated. "They help to make up a very strong field for this year's event and we are looking forward to getting underway on Monday.”
Top 100 players in the draw
Three players ranked in the top 100 of the WTA rankings will be in the draw for the Manchester Trophy with this trio eager to claim the title on the pristine grass courts:
- Magda Linette (world No.87)
The Polish right-hander gave defending champion Simona Halep a real test in their recent French Open clash and will arrive in Manchester keen to make a quick transition onto grass courts.
- Madison Brengle (world No.91)
The American showed her grass court prowess by reaching the third round at Wimbledon in 2017, beating Petra Kvitova in an eye-catching win in that tournament.
- Zarina Diyas (world No.99)
This experienced Kazakhstani player appeared in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2014 and 2015, beating higher ranked players on her favoured surface at the All England Club.
Away from the court in Manchester
The Quorn Family Cup will offer parents and children to experience grass court tennis at the Northern Lawn Tennis Club (Saturday 15 June), and a Team Challenge event will be hosted on Sunday 16 June. There will also be a chance to get involved with the She Rallies programme (Monday 10 June). Inspired by Judy Murray, the programme is aimed at encouraging more women and girls to get involved in the sport both as players and coaches.
In addition, around 700 local school children will get a chance to visit the event and experience world-class live tennis.
What happened last year?
Tunisia's Ons Jabeur beat Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo in convincing fashion in the final, while there was British representation in the final of the Doubles tournament as Naomi Broady and her American partner Asia Muhammad were beaten by the duo of Laksika Kumkhum and Prarthana Thombare.
Catch the action courtside
Watch world class tennis in Manchester and secure your seat today - Centre Court tickets are available from £9 per person with some days offering child (under 16) tickets for free.