Eastbourne Tennis: What Side Is It On?
Eastbourne is a small town on England’s south coast, and it’s home to some of the most famous tennis tournaments in the world. With the annual Eastbourne International Tennis Tournament and the Nature Valley International taking place in the town, the question on many people’s lips is “what side is Eastbourne tennis on?”.
History of Eastbourne Tennis
Eastbourne has a long and proud history of tennis, stretching all the way back to the 19th century. In 1886, the Eastbourne Lawn Tennis Club was established and in 1898, the first tennis tournament was held in the town. Since then, Eastbourne has become renowned for its tennis, with the tournament now one of the most prestigious events in the world.
Eastbourne International Tennis Tournament
The Eastbourne International is the main tennis tournament in the town, and it’s held every year in the second week of June. It’s a Premier-level tournament, meaning it’s one of the highest-level tournaments outside of the four Grand Slams. The tournament attracts some of the best players in the world and is a highlight of the tennis calendar.
Nature Valley International
The Nature Valley International is another important tennis tournament that’s held in Eastbourne every year. It’s a WTA Premier tournament, meaning it’s one of the most important events on the Women’s Tennis Association tour. It’s a great opportunity for the best female players in the world to showcase their skills and compete for a major title.
What Side Is Eastbourne Tennis On?
So, what side is Eastbourne tennis on? Well, it’s a difficult question to answer. Eastbourne is home to some of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, and the players who compete at these events are some of the best in the world. But, when it comes to the style of play, Eastbourne tends to favour a more defensive, baseline-oriented style of play.
Baseline Play
Eastbourne is known for its slow courts, which tend to favour players who are more patient and willing to play from the baseline. This style of play rewards players who are comfortable staying back and waiting for their opponents to make mistakes. It also means that Eastbourne tennis is often quite a slow-paced game, with long rallies and close points.
Net Play
Despite the preference for baseline play, Eastbourne is also home to some of the best net players in the world. Players like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have both been successful at the Eastbourne tournaments, and they’ve both demonstrated their ability to play well at the net. This shows that Eastbourne tennis can be played successfully with a more attacking, net-oriented style of play.
Serve and Volley
Serve and volley is another style of play that’s popular in Eastbourne. This involves players rushing to the net after serving and looking to end the point quickly. This style of play is favoured by players who have a strong serve and good volleying skills, and it can be a very effective way to win points in Eastbourne.
Players To Watch Out For
There are a number of players who are worth keeping an eye on at the Eastbourne tournaments. Here’s a list of some of the top players to watch out for:
- Roger Federer: One of the greatest players of all time, Federer is always a threat at the Eastbourne tournaments.
- Rafael Nadal: Another all-time great, Nadal is a master of the slow courts of Eastbourne.
- Andy Murray: The former world number one is a regular at the Eastbourne tournaments and is always a threat.
- Angelique Kerber: The former world number one is one of the best female players in the world, and she’s a regular at the Nature Valley International.
Conclusion
So, what side is Eastbourne tennis on? The answer is that it’s somewhere in the middle. Eastbourne is home to some of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, and the players who compete at these events are some of the best in the world. But when it comes to the style of play, Eastbourne tends to favour a more defensive, baseline-oriented style of play. That said, Eastbourne is also home to some of the best net players in the world, and serve and volley is also a popular style of play in the town. So, whatever your preference, Eastbourne has something to offer.