Eastbourne International – the annual fan-favourite tennis event that hosts a number of the sport’s best players ahead of The Championships, Wimbledon. The International, known as Rothesay International Eastbourne for 2023, is hosted at Devonshire Park, which first opened its doors to the world of tennis in 1874. As an ATP-250 and WTA-500 event, Eastbourne prides itself in the LTA tournament calendar, and is not one to be missed. Aside from its ATP and WTA status and the venue’s rich history, what makes Eastbourne a special and iconic event?
Firstly, Eastbourne International is one of the smaller, more intimate International tournaments on the LTA tour. What’s the benefit of this, you might ask? When not enjoying the action on Centre Court, you can wander round the grounds, and soak up the sunshine and the tournament atmosphere. Furthermore, Devonshire Park in renowned for its court layout; courts 4-12 allow for spectators to watch just metres away. Fans in 2022 were within touching distance of some of the sport’s greatest players, including Cam Norrie and Serena Williams! It even makes your chance of bumping into the champions when exploring the grounds, a lot greater, so make sure you’re on the lookout – a priceless experience for anyone attending.
Secondly, this tournament is consistently known as the Wimbledon warm-up event. Taking place the week before, it means that those attending can expect to witness some incredible talent ahead of the world-famous Grand Slam. Don’t believe us? The tournament has proudly hosted some of tennis’ biggest stars, including 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams, 7-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic, back-to-back Queen’s champion Feliciano Lopez, Brit stars Cam Norrie and Jack Draper, and more. The talent? World-class. The price? Well, with hospitality starting from just £140pp + VAT, some would say it’s a no-brainer…
Apart from tennis, what else springs to mind when we say the word ‘Eastbourne’? Well, we can guarantee a lot of you would say the beach. Eastbourne has the benefit of being a seaside resort on the South coast and boasts endless blue skies and pristine beaches in the summer season – it’s known as the sunniest place in the UK. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular coastal towns in England. Therefore, Eastbourne is a particularly special tournament due to its seaside location, with Devonshire Park located just a stone’s throw from the sea…why not end your day at the tennis with a gorgeous walk along the seafront? Or stay at one of Eastbourne’s beautiful hotels and make a few days of it – it’s the perfect mix of tennis viewing and sun-soaking, and something truly special.
Not only is Devonshire Park conveniently located (minutes from the seafront, and a 10-minute stroll from the train station), but Eastbourne itself is a direct train away from London and Brighton, meaning it’s very accessible for many! Trains from Brighton, London Victoria and Clapham Junction run every half an hour, and the journey from the capital to the coast is just 90 minutes. This is certainly something to consider when attending events; there’s nothing worse than enjoying a lovely day out, only to have to face a difficult, tiresome journey home. Worries like this don’t have to exist when attending the Eastbourne International.
Finally, what else makes Eastbourne so special? Well, the official hospitality offerings at the tournament for 2023 are certainly worth a mention. Keith Prowse is proud to offer a range of innovative, bespoke experiences at this fan-favourite event, from brunch, to lunch, to afternoon tea. And, with prices from £140pp + VAT, which also guarantees your seat on Centre Court, it’s the perfect way to make your Eastbourne experience extra special.
