The LTA announced this afternoon that the International Women's Open tennis championships held in Eastbourne since 1975 will stay and be joined from next summer by the men's championships traditionally held in Nottingham.

Two of the highest calibre international grass court events will be held in the town, with Eastbourne's famous Devonshire Park attracting top tennis stars from around the world.


The leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, Councillor David Tutt, said, "This is really excellent news for Eastbourne and will confirm the town's status as a top tennis venue, with a key British tennis event held here on the south coast.

"Taking place the week before Wimbledon, the tournament will attract huge media interest and world class players.

"This is a great boost to the town and its tourist economy and I am proud that Eastbourne has been chosen to stage two such major tennis events."

A record 40,000 spectators turned up for last year's International Women's Open, which ended in a thrilling final between world number one Justine Henin and world number four Amelie Mauresmo.

This top event at the Devonshire Park saw the best crowd numbers in the event's 32-year history as Henin and Mauresmo, left tennis fans on tenterhooks as they played a tense tournament finale that lasted more than two and a half hours and saw Henin triumph.