Nottingham Tennis Centre, Nottingham, England
Surface: Outdoor Grass Category: WTA 250 Draw: 32‑player singles / 16‑team doubles Broadcast: Tennis Channel, Amazon Prime Video (UK), WTA TV
The grass‑court season officially ramps up as the WTA Tour arrives in Nottingham for one of the most important Wimbledon tune‑ups. The Lexus Nottingham Open traditionally features a mix of rising stars, grass‑court specialists, and top‑20 players looking to sharpen their timing on fast, low‑bounce lawns.
Venue Information
Nottingham Tennis Centre — Nottingham, England
- One of the largest public tennis facilities in the UK
- Features 13 natural grass courts
- Known for low bounce, quick points, and serve‑plus‑one tennis
- Weather can be unpredictable, often influencing match tempo and scheduling
Start Date & Schedule
- Main Draw Begins: Monday, June 15, 2026
- Round of 32: June 15–16
- Round of 16: June 17
- Quarterfinals: June 19
- Semifinals: June 20
- Final: June 21 (1:00 PM local time)
Injury Report & Withdrawals
Expected Withdrawals / Injury Concerns
- Emma Raducanu — OUT (back management)
- Ajla Tomljanović — Doubtful (knee)
- Karolína Muchová — OUT (wrist)
- Linda Fruhvirtová — OUT (shoulder)
Players Returning From Injury
- Beatriz Haddad Maia — returning after abdominal strain
- Elise Mertens — cleared after minor hip issue
These statuses may shift the draw and betting markets.
Field Strength & Key Entrants
The Nottingham Open typically attracts a mix of top‑30 players and British favorites. The 2026 field is projected to include:
Top Seeds (Projected)
- Beatriz Haddad Maia (2022 champion)
- Elise Mertens
- Zheng Qinwen
- Katie Boulter (2024 champion)
- Camila Giorgi
- Magda Linette
Wild Cards (Projected)
- Katie Boulter (if ranking requires)
- Jodie Burrage
- Heather Watson
Grass‑Court Specialists to Watch
- Camila Giorgi — ultra‑aggressive, thrives on fast courts
- Katie Boulter — home‑court advantage, strong serve
- Magda Linette — consistent on low‑bounce surfaces
Recent Form Snapshot
Beatriz Haddad Maia
- 2026 record entering grass season: 18–10
- Strength: heavy lefty topspin + strong serve
- Weakness: movement on slick grass
Zheng Qinwen
- 2026 record: 22–9
- Strength: elite power baseline game
- Weakness: limited grass‑court experience
Katie Boulter
- 2026 record: 14–12
- Strength: serve + forehand combination
- Weakness: inconsistency under pressure
Elise Mertens
- 2026 record: 17–11
- Strength: all‑court versatility
- Weakness: lacks finishing power on grass
Tournament History
Recent Champions
- 2025: Ons Jabeur
- 2024: Katie Boulter
- 2023: Katie Boulter
- 2022: Beatriz Haddad Maia
- 2021: Johanna Konta
Key Trends
- Home players perform extremely well (Konta, Boulter)
- Aggressive first‑strike tennis dominates
- Left‑handers have historically excelled (Haddad Maia, Jabeur)
Key Player Matchups to Watch
1. Haddad Maia vs. Giorgi
- Power vs. power
- Giorgi’s flat hitting can rush Haddad Maia on grass
- Likely a tight match if they meet in QF/SF
2. Boulter vs. Mertens
- Boulter’s serve gives her the edge
- Mertens’ consistency could frustrate the Brit
3. Zheng Qinwen vs. Any Grass Specialist
- Zheng’s raw power is elite
- But her movement on grass remains a question
Betting Odds (Projected Market Consensus)
(Official odds not yet released; projections based on field strength and historical performance.)
Projected Outright Odds
- Haddad Maia: +350
- Zheng Qinwen: +450
- Boulter: +550
- Mertens: +700
- Giorgi: +900
- Linette: +1200
Betting Trends
1. Home‑Court Advantage
British players have won 3 of the last 5 Nottingham titles.
2. Underdogs Win Early
Grass rewards aggressive returners; early‑round upsets are common.
3. Overs Hit Frequently
Fast points + short rallies = many matches finishing over the game total.
4. Left‑Handed Players Thrive Haddad Maia and Jabeur both won here with lefty patterns that exploit grass geometry.
