The Queen's Club in London will host a women's tennis tournament next year for the first time in over 50 years. The WTA event is scheduled to take place the week following the French Open, marking the beginning of the grass-court season and positioning it as a lead-up event to Wimbledon. The men's ATP Tour event will follow the women's tournament.
Concerns have been raised by male players regarding the impact of the women's tournament on the quality of the grass at Queen's Club. Chris Pollard, director of major events and digital at the Lawn Tennis Association, has expressed confidence in the ability to host a two-week event at the venue without compromising the playing surface. Pollard cited the successful two-week Wimbledon Championships as evidence that grass can withstand extended tennis play. Independent data supports the claim that the men's tournament will not be adversely affected by the preceding women's event.
The ATP Tour has approved the staging of the women's tournament in 2025, with ongoing discussions regarding future arrangements. Pollard indicated that the ATP Tour is considering the situation post-2025 but reiterated the commitment to maintaining a permanent change in the tournament structure. The calendar adjustment will result in a reduction in status for the WTA grass-court tournaments in Birmingham and Eastbourne, both located in England.
