A New Era for Women’s Tennis at Queen’s Club
Laura Robson, a former British tennis star and Olympic silver medalist, is spearheading a significant milestone in the world of tennis. Robson, now 31, has taken on the role of tournament director for the new women’s tournament at the prestigious Barons Court Tennis Centre, which is set to host the HSBC Championships. This event marks the first time since 1973 that female players will grace the grass courts of Queen’s Club, a venue traditionally reserved for the men’s ATP singles and doubles tournaments.
The Star-Studded Lineup
The HSBC Championships, which will take place in the week following the French Open, is attracting some of the biggest names in women’s tennis. Notable participants include 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, Naomi Osaka, and Australian Open champion Madison Keys. The tournament promises to be a spectacle, offering 500 world ranking points to the champion. Online tickets for the event went on sale last week, and they are now available to the general public, generating significant excitement among tennis fans.
The Quest for Equality
While the HSBC Championships represents a significant step forward for women’s tennis, the issue of equal prize money remains a topic of discussion. Robson, a vocal advocate for equality in the sport, acknowledges the challenges ahead. "Across the tour, I’d love to see equal prize money happen and the WTA have all the investment coming in to try and be able to do that," she said. "But they’re a long way off. So I think it’s more of a tour issue year-round than just Queen’s on its own." The disparity in prize money is currently evident at the Queen’s Club, where the male champion, Tommy Paul, received £350,000 for his victory in 2024, while the women will not receive the same pay. However, Robson remains optimistic. "For Queen’s especially, being a new event, it’s not going to have equal prize money. Long term, that’s where we’d like to get to," she added.
Preparing for the Challenges
Robson, who has previously managed the Nottingham Open, is well-versed in the complexities of running a tennis tournament. She is prepared to handle the logistical and scheduling challenges that come with hosting a new event. "It’s a new event. You never know how it’s going to go," she said. "But we’re really lucky to have the combination of the men alongside it. I’m very positive about it. It’s going to be really great for the players who are involved and also the fact that women’s tennis is back in London." Robson’s experience as a Sky Sports pundit has also equipped her with the skills to manage the media and public expectations surrounding the tournament.
Overcoming Logistics
The Queen’s Club, a member’s club with its own unique set of logistical requirements, presented Robson and her team with several challenges. One of the most significant was securing the women’s dressing room, a process that required extensive negotiation. "We’ve got less matches on Centre Court and on Court Two, more on the outside courts, to make sure that they’re still in perfect condition for the second week," she explained. Robson is confident in the measures taken to ensure the courts remain in top condition throughout the tournament. Her experience managing the combined event at Nottingham, which faced severe weather conditions, has prepared her for any potential scheduling issues that may arise.
Looking to the Future
As the HSBC Championships approaches, Robson is focused on making this new event a success and setting the stage for future advancements in women’s tennis. "The logistics are very hard because it’s a member’s club. So they are used to still having a lot of their own spaces when the tournament is still on," she said. "But I couldn’t be more confident about the courts and the data that’s gone into seeing what is going to make them last longer." Robson’s vision extends beyond the immediate success of the tournament; she hopes that the HSBC Championships will be a stepping stone towards achieving equal prize money across the tour. With her leadership and the talent of the participating players, the future of women’s tennis at Queen’s Club looks bright.
