Women’s Tennis Returns to Queen’s Club After 52 Years
Nothing marks the beginning of summer in Britain quite like the grass-court tennis season, and for the first time in over half a century, Queen’s Club hosted a women’s tournament.
The last time women played at Queen’s was in 1973, a year when Edward Heath was the Prime Minister and Queen had not yet released Bohemian Rhapsody.
With the end of a rainy week giving way to softer weather and sunshine, attendees swapped raincoats for sunglasses, creating a perfect atmosphere to celebrate women’s tennis.
The last female winner at Queen’s was Olga Morozova, who played for the Soviet Union. Back then, the event was sponsored by a tobacco company, with a prize pool of just £1,000 (around £15,000 in today’s terms).
Queen’s Club is tucked away in West Kensington, surrounded by charming white and brick terraced houses, making its impressive facilities a surprising find.
The event’s organizers aimed to attract a more diverse audience by employing local schoolchildren as ball girls, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity in tennis.
Initial attendance was strong, with over 80% of tickets for the week sold, even though not every opening day match was packed. Fans hoping to see stars like Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu faced long queues and some missed out entirely, leading to frustration from those shut out from Court No. 1.
During her match, Raducanu was able to chat with spectators, emphasizing the court’s intimate setting. British No. 3 Sonay Kartal achieved a career milestone by defeating world No. 16 Daria Kasatkina, further energizing the crowd.
Technology and Increased Prize Money
This year’s women’s event at Queen’s has introduced a hefty prize fund of £1 million, well above the minimum for its category, although this still falls short compared to the men’s prize pool next week.
That morning, Andy Murray, a long-time advocate for women’s tennis, opened the newly named arena and stressed its importance in showcasing women’s talent. As anticipation builds, fans are eager to see top-tier matches throughout the week.
