Smashing Service at Eastbourne 2024

2024 marked 50 years of The Rothesay International Eastbourne, and it certainly rose to the occasion and gave fans an exceptional week of tennis action and memories to cherish.

It’s regarded as the ultimate fan-favourite tennis tournament, where you can get up close to the players warming up on the practice courts just metres away, and roam around the grounds absorbing the atmosphere and take in the buzz that surrounds the players preparing for their big match.

Keith Prowse are proud to be the exclusive hospitality provider at Eastbourne, offering our guests two unique experiences to elevate their day at the tennis. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights that this year served on the sunny South Coast.

The Sky Lounge

Picture this: colourful florals, floor to ceiling windows with views overlooking Centre Court and Number 1 Court as you dine, a beautiful (fully inclusive!) bar and excellent service. The Sky Lounge is our most premium experience at Eastbourne, set in an intimate environment that truly has a special feel to it.

You are quite literally surrounded by the action whilst in The Sky Lounge thanks to the windows overlooking the courts. Its proximity heightens the immersive element of the day, and seat-to-suite access allows guests to come and go from the hospitality space to their court seats as and when they wish.

Guests this year were welcomed with a Nyetimber reception and breakfast spread featuring fresh pastries and fruit to start their day right. After settling in, guests took to their match seats for a spot of tennis action on Centre Court, before returning for canapés, followed by a three-course summer lunch. Lunch was mouth-watering to say the least – with options galore!

Smoked Duck, Whipped Ricotta, Nectarine and Sunflower Seed Dressing, Cured Trout Brined Cucumber and English Sea Vegetables, Rump and Shoulder of Lamb, Potato Terrine and Dressed Courgette, and Chocolate Torte, Salted Liquorice Caramel and Crème Fraîche were some standout dishes - to name a few! After more action on court was enjoyed (of course with a drink to take away to sip during play – Pimm’s was a favourite) traditional afternoon tea was served, with fresh English strawberries – a day at the tennis wouldn’t have been complete without.

Guests also had an appearance from Australian tennis player Max Purcell, who took part in a live Q&A, making the experience event more authentic and #CloserToTheAction. He talked in depth about his performance, and inspired guests who were listening intently and getting great insights into the life of a professional player.

Love Fifteen

Located in Eastbourne’s stunning Winter Garden building, Love Fifteen is a space that hosts immersive tennis graphics and decorative florals to reflect the nature of the summer grass-court season. True tennis fans are at home here, and Centre Court is just a short stroll away through the practice courts, so guests can catch the players warming up from just metres away. Sloane Stevens, Emma Raducanu, Billy Harris and Harriet Drat were among some of the players having a knock-up in front of their adorning fans!

With a delicious brunch buffet of pastries and fruit and a bucks fizz reception, guests were welcomed in style to Love Fifteen. After returning from play on Centre Court, the summer buffet lunch offering was something to tuck into! From Heirloom Tomato Salads with Whipped Feta, Roasted Sweet Potato and Quinoa, Porchetta, Red Pepper Piperade and Artisan breads, there was no compromise on choice! And not to mention the deserts – Chocolate Torte with Salted Liquorice Caramel, Miso Roasted Peaches and Caramelised Chocolate Crumb with White Chocolate Mousse.
The afternoon tea spread was also something to make sure they returned for from the tennis, offering an array of sweet and savoury options to refuel upon.

The sun shone which made the perfect excuse for guests to enjoy a drink in the exclusive garden area, chatting with friends and colleagues while enjoying excellent hospitality.

Newness is Serving in 2025

The Sky Lounge will return in 2025 to welcome guests back for another week of first-class service, on and off Centre Court.
Love Fifteen is moving to the Welcome building, which will make it an even more exclusive and intimate space for guests to enjoy. It’s also not available on Finals Day for the very first time – so you can celebrate in style!

The Results

Now time to focus on the tennis! It was a year of incredible action and success for the Brits.

Billy Harris was a standout player in the tournament and was experiencing a whirlwind summer of tennis, reaching his first ATP tour-level semi-final match. As World No.139, the British player was on impeccable form at Devonshire Park, and gave him a boost that led to him receiving a wild card to play in the main draw at Wimbledon 2024 – well done Billy!

British No.2 Harriet Dart had a great run too, reaching her first ATP semi-final. Unfortunately, Dart lost to 2021 US Open runner-up, Leylah Fernandez, but gave her incredible confidence heading to Wimbledon the following week.

Centre Court was seriously basking in the summer sun – it was a scorcher to say the least! And what a year it was for tennis at this tournament, it gave the fans a lot to cheer for and saw some of the world’s best and rising stars take centre stage.
The Ladies’ singles champion Daria Kasatkina won her first grass-court title after defeating Leylah Fernandez. Daria was 2023 runner-up at Eastbourne, and 2024’s win gave her a seventh career title.
Taylor Fritz won the Men’s single’s title to become the first three-time champion of Eastbourne in the tournament’s history, defeating Australian (and Sky Lounge guest speaker) Max Purcell. He didn’t even lose a set running up to his eight tour-level title!

We already can’t wait to welcome our guests back in 2025 (which we’re now on sale for!) with exciting new additions to our VIP hospitality experiences, and what is guaranteed to be more edge-of-your-seat tennis action. Find out how you can elevate your day here.