The buzz is back at Queen's Club – and it's not just about the rackets! The HSBC Championships have brought a burst of excitement to the British tennis scene, injecting fresh life into the grass court season. And what a welcome return it has been for women's tennis in this iconic setting, after an all-too-long 50-year hiatus.
Ticket sales have gone stratospheric – up from 62,000 in year one to a record-breaking 70,000 this time around! The LTA reported an impressive 98 per cent capacity for the week, with five out of seven days completely sold out. And who can blame them? This year's women's competition saw a star-studded lineup, including surprise appearances from tennis legends like Serena Williams and doubles heroics from British stars Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter.
Raducanu's thrilling run to the final – and her return to form – had fans on the edge of their seats. TV audiences were also glued to the action, with a peak audience of 1.9 million tuning in to BBC1, plus an additional 434,000 watching online.
This strategic shift by the LTA has clearly paid off – and it's not just about the numbers. The expansion has injected much-needed revenue into tennis development, as well as generating significant economic benefits for London-based businesses. Last year, the women's event alone generated £4.3 million in revenue, contributing a whopping £6.3 million to the local economy when combined with the men's week.
The LTA is banking on this momentum to achieve its goal of equal prize money for men and women at Queen's by 2029 – and it looks like they're on track. This year's women's purse increased by a whopping 35 per cent, reaching £1.4 million – one of the highest in the WTA 500.
With new sponsors joining the fold, this remodelled British grass court season is shaping up to be a triumph for all involved – and Queen's Club is firmly at its heart.