London | Laura Robson to run new WTA 500 Queen’s Club event

Former British No 1 and Olympic Silver medalist Laura Robson has been appointed by the LTA as the Tournament Director of the new WTA 500 event to be held at The Queen’s Club next summer.

I’m delighted to be taking up this role next summer. It’s very exciting that women’s tennis is returning to the Queen’s Club for the first time in over 50 years. It’s an iconic venue and has been voted Tournament of the Year by the men many times. I’m confident that the women’s event will be just as thrilling and I can’t wait to get started. Laura Robson

Previously the Tournament Director of the Nottingham Open WTA 250/ATP Challenger Event since 2023, Robson will bring women’s tour level tennis back to London for the first time in over 50 years.

The appointment is part of the LTA’s work with former players who wish to move into other tennis roles after their retirement, and means that over 70% of the UK grass-court swing now have female Tournament Directors running them.

Another player working on LTA events is Jamie Murray, who returns in his role as Tournament Director of the ATP 500 event at the Queen’s Club.

Following Robson’s appointment, Amy Hitchinson has been chosen as the new Tournament Director at Nottingham, having undertaken the same role at Birmingham in 2024, while Rebecca James, Rik Smith and Kirsty Thomson will continue in their roles at the LTA’s events in Eastbourne, Ilkley and Roehampton respectively, with Thomson also taking on the new combined event at Birmingham

“I’m delighted to be taking up this role next summer,” Robson said. “It’s very exciting that women’s tennis is returning to the Queen’s Club for the first time in over 50 years.

“It’s an iconic venue and has been voted Tournament of the Year by the men many times. I’m confident that the women’s event will be just as thrilling and I can’t wait to get started.”

Chris Pollard, the LTA’s Managing Director, Commercial and Operations, said: “Laura did a fantastic job at Nottingham and received a lot of plaudits from the players. We’re very pleased she will now be taking on this important role at Queens next year.

“We have worked hard to ensure former British players such as Laura and Jamie can continue to use their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the game in this country, and it’s great news they will both be part of our experienced cohort of Tournament Directors.”

Hospitality for the women’s WTA 500 event at The Queen’s Club is now on sale, and can be purchased via the LTA’s partner Keith Prowse at www.keithprowse.co.uk

General admission tickets for the women’s event will go on sale early in 2025.

Tickets for the ATP 500 event at The Queen’s Club are already available to LTA Advantage Members via the LTA website and went on general sale on Thursday, 28 November.

© Leon Neal/AFP/GettyImages

Birmingham – Edgbaston Priory Club, w/c 2 June

• Men’s and women’s Challenger level events Tournament Director: Kirsty Thomson

London – The Queen’s Club, w/c 9 June

• WTA 500 Tournament Director: Laura Robson

Ilkley – Ilkley Lawn Tennis Club, w/c 9 June

• Men’s and women’s Challenger level events Tournament Director: Rik Smith

London – The Queen’s Club, w/c 16 June

• ATP 500 Tournament Director: Jamie Murray

Nottingham – Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre, w/c 16 June

• WTA 250 & ATP 125 Tournament Director: Amy Hitchinson

Eastbourne – Devonshire Park, w/c 23 June

• WTA 250 & ATP 250 Tournament Director: Rebecca James

Roehampton – Wimbledon Qualifying and Community Sports Centre, w/c 30 June 

• Wheelchair ITF1 & J300 Tournament Director: Kirsty Thomson