Tournament Preview: The DFS Classic, Edgbaston

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 14:13

What’s it all about? The WTA Tier II event is the first women’s tournament on grass in that two-week window between Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

When’s it happening? Monday June 9 through to finals day on Sunday June 15.

Where is it? Edgbaston Priory Club, PSir Harrys Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2UZ. One of the oldest tennis clubs in the world.

Why should I go there? Little known fact: tennis (well, lawn tennis) was invented in Edgbaston. In 1859 Major Thomas Henry Gem, a solicitor, and his friend Batista Pereira, a Spanish merchant. played it on a lawn in the leafy Birmingham suburb. The Priory Club was one of the first established clubs in the country soon after. But enough of the history lesson – these days it’s a key event in the run-up to the Wimbledon Championships.

Who can I see this year? The DFS is a great chance to see some of the world’s top players in action, with the vast majority of entrants in the WTA Tour top 100. Making up the top seeds will be Vera Zvonareva (No 12), Dinara Safina (No 14), Agnieszka Radwanska (No 15), Victoria Azarenka (No 17), Sybille Bammer (No 22) and Alona Bondarenko (No 27).

But world No.2 Maria Sharapova and defending champion Jelena Jankovic have withdrawn at the last minute, much to the disappointment of the tournament organisers. Jankovic has tendonitis in her elbow, while Sharapova is resting up in a bid to shake off a few niggling injuries.

How do I get tickets? Turn up at the venue. Tickets start on Monday at

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