The Lexus Birmingham Open is set to showcase top British tennis talent this summer, with Jacob Fearnley leading the men's contingent at the Edgbaston Priory Club. The tournament, which runs from June, marks the beginning of the grass court season in Britain and features both a men's Challenger event and a women's WTA tournament.
Jacob Fearnley: Rising Star
Jacob Fearnley, currently ranked as British No. 4, will be the headline British player in the men's draw. After a remarkable 2024 season that saw him break into the top 100 for the first time, Fearnley has quickly established himself as a force in British tennis. His success on grass was particularly notable, as he claimed the Lexus Nottingham Open title in 2024 after coming through qualifying. However, 2026 has been challenging so far, with Fearnley winning just one main draw ATP Tour match. He will be eager to rediscover his best form on the Birmingham grass.
Jack Pinnington Jones: Rising Talent
Joining Fearnley in Birmingham is Jack Pinnington Jones, a rising star who enjoyed a stellar grass court season in 2025. Last year, he reached his first ATP Challenger final in Ilkley, made his ATP Tour debut in Eastbourne, and earned a first Grand Slam main draw win at Wimbledon, defeating then world No. 53 Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Pinnington Jones has continued his ascent in 2026, reaching a career-high ATP ranking of 133, and will look to carry that momentum onto the Birmingham grass.
International Contenders
The men's field also features several strong international players. Poland's Kamil Majchrzak, who reached the fourth round of Wimbledon last year, is the highest-ranked entrant at world No. 78. Other notable names include Italy's Mattia Bellucci, Australia's James Duckworth, and the United States' Patrick Kypson. Otto Virtanen of Finland, who won the Lexus Birmingham Open title last summer, will be seeking to defend his crown. Norway's rising star Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, who faced Cam Norrie and Jacob Fearnley in the Davis Cup earlier this year, is also in the draw.
Women's Event: Harriet Dart Receives Wildcard
In the women's tournament, Britain's Harriet Dart has been awarded the first wildcard. The women's event is headlined by The Philippines' Alexandra Eala and reigning Queen's Club champion Tatjana Maria.
Tournament Director's Comments
Kirsty Thomson, tournament director of the Lexus Birmingham Open, expressed delight at the strong British contingent. 'For Jacob and Jack in the men's draw and Harriet in the women's, kicking off their grass court season in front of a strong home crowd is sure to be a major boost. We can't wait for world-class tennis to get underway in just three weeks.'
Ticket Information
Centre Court tickets start from £40, with grounds admission tickets priced at £12 for adults and free for children. All tickets can be purchased via tickets.lta.org.uk.
