Stockport’s Naomi Broady heads the entry list for the Aegon Manchester Trophy, which runs from June 11-18 at The Northern Lawn Tennis Club in Didsbury.
Fellow British players Harriet Dart, Katie Dunn, Katie Swann and Gabriella Taylor have been awarded main draw wildcards which starts on Tuesday, June 13.
Broady, ranked 123 in the world, can’t wait to play at her home club and welcome international players to Manchester.
The 27-year-old said: “It’s really special for me to play at home. It’s my home club and I’ll get to have all my friends and family who don’t get to come and watch me very often.
“My grandma has never watched me at all so this will be her first time.
“Obviously, although people say Wimbledon is the home tournament for Brits, for a Northerner it’s quite far away.
“So this is my home tournament and I’m excited to play. I’ve told all the girls I’m the official tour guide and I’m just excited to have everyone come to my city as well, I’m such a proud Manc.”
Samantha Murray, another Stockport local, will be competing in the qualifying event.
Murray, who reached a career high ranking of 165 at the end of 2013 and played against Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2014, is working her way back up the rankings after undergoing wrist surgery in 2014.
Tennis fans will have the opportunity to watch qualifying matches for free on June 11 and June 12, with tickets from £7 for the other days.
All ticket holders can travel to and from the tournament free on the day of their visit on the Metrolink network and will arrive at the tennis-themed West Didsbury tram stop, adjacent to The Northern.
Families can have fun throughout the week by trying their hand at the Metrolink Fastest Serve competition, meeting players at autograph sessions and getting on court at inclusive tennis sessions.
The Northern will be displaying its rich tennis history with an exclusive range of postcards and historical souvenirs on sale throughout the event.
Tickets are on sale now at the tournament website or by calling 0844 581 1530.
What is the Aegon Trophy Series?
The Aegon Trophy Series comprises men’s and women’s events around the country which offer players the opportunity to compete on grass in the lead up to the Championships, Wimbledon.
The Aegon Trophy Series now offers more prize-money at its events than any comparable circuit anywhere in the world.
Attracting some of the world’s most exciting players with $850k overall prize money, 2017 sees the Aegon Trophy Series increase to five grass tournaments across five different venues.
Prize money at Aegon Trophy Series events has been more doubled this year from $300,000 in 2016 to over $850,000 in 2017 – the highest in the world at this level.
2017 grass court calendar
June 12-18 (week 2)
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Combined WTA International Aegon Open Nottingham & Aegon Nottingham Trophy (ATP Challenger) events at Nottingham Tennis Centre
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Aegon Manchester Trophy at Northern Lawn Tennis Club, Manchester (ITF Women’s Pro Circuit)
June 19-25 (week 3)
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Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club, London (ATP World Tour 500 event)
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Aegon Classic at Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham (WTA Premier)
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Aegon Ilkley Trophy at Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club (combined ITF Women’s Pro Circuit & ATP Challenger events)
June 26-July 1 (week 4)
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Aegon International (combined WTA Premier & ATP World Tour 250 event) at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne
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Aegon Southsea Trophy at Canoe Lake Leisure (ITF Women’s Pro Circuit)
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Wimbledon Qualifying, Bank of England Sports Club, Roehampton, London
July 3-16 (week 5&6)
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Wimbledon