Evans likes home help as Priory serves up ideal prep

DAN EVANS admits he will be 'so lucky' to play a professional tournament in his home city of Birmingham for the first time when he steps onto the courts at the Edgbaston Priory Club in a new-look event.

- By ANDY LEE

Birmingham has hosted a women’s grass court tournament that has been won by some of the biggest names in the sport's history since its inaugural year in 1982, with a long list of former Grand Slam champions lifting the Maud Watson Trophy.

Now the LTA’s exciting new summer grass court calendar sees a men’s ATP Challenger tournament added to the schedule alongside a women’s tournament at the Edgbaston Priory Club for the first time, with Evans a star attraction for the fans to follow when the Lexus Birmingham Open gets underway on May 31.

Evans, 34, has practised on the immaculate Edgbaston Priory Club grass courts over the course of a career that has seen him win two ATP Tour titles and reach a career-high ranking of No.21, but the chance to play in front of his home fans in Birmingham in a competitive tournament is setting his pulse racing.

"It’s going to be nice to play at home," said Evans, whose only previous appearance in Birmingham came in a Davis Cup tie for Great Britain against Japan alongside Andy Murray in 2016.