Women's historic return to Queen's serving up stardust

Ten of the world's top-20 players competing in west London

- KIERAN JACKSON

For a venue steeped in pomp and splendour – an old-school members’ spot constantly eyeing ways to refresh – there is something new coming this week at Queen’s Club. For the first time in 52 years, the women take centre stage on the pristine grass courts in the high-flying west London neighbourhood.

The last time a women’s event was played at Queen’s, under the title of the 1973 London Grass Court Championships, Russian player Olga Morozova won the singles title. And a matter of months before she won the famous “Battle of the Sexes” contest against Bobby Riggs in Houston, which catapulted women’s tennis into the mainstream, Billie Jean King won the doubles at Queen’s alongside fellow American Rosie Casals.

Times have clearly changed, but the sprinkling of top-tier stardust has not. For tournament director Laura Robson, the former world No 27 and Wimbledon junior champion, attracting the biggest names in the game was a process which started last year. Australian Open champion and close friend Madison Keys has clearly spread the word, with 10 of the world’s top 20 signing up to play.