Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter Set to Compete in New WTA 500 Tournament in London
British tennis fans will have an exciting opportunity to watch Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter in action at a brand-new WTA 500 tournament at The Queen’s Club this summer.
For the first time in over 50 years, London will host a premier women’s tennis event—the HSBC Championships—bringing top-tier WTA competition back to the capital.
A Star-Studded Lineup
Tournament director Laura Robson confirmed to Express Sport that both Raducanu and Boulter needed “no convincing” to participate in the event, which runs from June 7 to 15, immediately after the French Open.
The Queen’s Club, already home to a prestigious ATP 500 event, will now welcome some of the biggest names in women’s tennis. Alongside Raducanu and Boulter, the tournament will feature:
- Madison Keys – 2024 Australian Open champion
- Naomi Osaka – Four-time Grand Slam winner
- Daria Kasatkina – World No. 11
“It hasn’t taken much to get WTA players excited about it,” Robson said. “And I think you can see that with who is signed up to it.”
Home Advantage for Raducanu and Boulter
For British stars Raducanu and Boulter, competing at Queen’s is an easy decision. Both thrive on grass courts, and with a home crowd behind them, the tournament presents a valuable opportunity to gain ranking points while enjoying the comfort of staying in the UK.
Boulter, the British No. 1, has won the Nottingham Open for the past two years, while Raducanu enjoyed strong performances at Nottingham, Eastbourne, and Wimbledon last season.
Robson highlighted the appeal of playing on home soil:
“For the Brits, it’s a no-brainer. Most of them have been at Queen’s in the past watching the men’s event—whether it’s as a 10-year-old, like in my case. Speaking to them, they know how good it is. So from the Brit perspective, they’re all really excited to play, especially Katie and Emma.”
Making Tennis More Accessible
The HSBC Championships also aim to attract new audiences, with tickets starting at just £20. Robson emphasized the importance of making live tennis more accessible:
“We definitely want as many people as possible to come and watch and maybe experience live tennis for the first time. The ticket pricing reflects that.”
With top-tier talent, British favorites, and affordable tickets, the WTA 500 at Queen’s promises to be a major highlight of the summer tennis season.
