South Coast SMASHER
The International Women’s Open tennis championships will be held at Devonshire Park from 14-21 June 2008 guaranteeing more tense battles for an expected record crowd of spectators.
The WTA Tier II event has been held at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park since 1975 with last year’s championship drawing the biggest crowd numbers in the event’s 32- year history. More than 40,000 spectators are expected in 2008 to support a thrilling tournament that stands as the main pre-Wimbledon event.
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astbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Councillor Steve Wallis, is delighted that the tournament is returning to Eastbourne again this year. It is a major sporting event, not just in Eastbourne and the southeast region, but internationally too, with top tennis stars from around the world always keen to take part. “The championships have been an important part of the town’s history for many years and I can’t wait to see what exciting contests 2008 will bring” he says.
Eastbourne’s oldest park probably dates from around 1873 when the Devonshire Park Company was set up. A guide, dated 1893, describes a music
garden with facilities for cricket, tennis, racquets and roller-skating. A ladies “cycle academy” is also mentioned. The first major tennis championships were held in 1881. The Council began purchasing the facilities in about 1929. The facility is managed by Eastbourne
Borough Council who employ four staff to maintain the tennis facilities. Andy Bacon (Grounds and Tournament Manager) and Roy Charman (Turf Manager) are the longest serving staff members with well over forty years service between them, together with Danny Garbett and Danny Negus who are relative newcomers. Roy has completed two stints at Devonshire Park, the first way back in the
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