Kim Clijsters to Defend Hastings Direct International Championships
Title
Defending Champion and current world number two Kim Clijsters
will return to Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park this summer
(17-24th June) in a bid to recapture the sparkling grass court
form that led to the Belgian star lifting the Hastings Direct
International Championships trophy in 2005
Kim Clijsters said: “I’m very excited to be going
back to Eastbourne, it was my first time there last year and
I met so many nice people. The crowd was really good and I
had some great matches there so for me it was the perfect
tournament to lead up to Wimbledon. I can’t wait to
get back to Eastbourne to see all the friends that I made
last year again.”
This will be Kim’s second appearance at the Hastings
Direct International Championships and her eagerness to return
to the south coast speaks volumes about the importance of
the event in the eyes of the world’s top female tennis
players.
Clijsters added: “The atmosphere at Eastbourne is very
important. It’s such a relaxing place and you have all
the facilities that you need. Last year we had some nice weather
and the courts were incredible so I’m really looking
forward to coming back. The whole organisation is perfect
which makes it a lot easier for the players. The grass court
season is a little short but Wimbledon and Eastbourne are
two of my favourite tournaments of the whole year.”
Championships Director Gavin Fletcher said: “We are
delighted that Kim has decided to play in Eastbourne this
year and defend her title. She was extremely popular with
the crowd last year and we hope she will be one of many high
calibre players heading down to play at the Hastings Direct
International Championships.”
Tickets are currently on sale for the Hastings Direct International
Championships which offers tennis fans a fantastic opportunity
to watch some of the world’s finest players. Ticket
information is available from the box office 01323 412000.
Qualifying for this year’s event will take place between
Saturday 17 and Monday 19 of June 2006. The main draw will
be played between Monday 19 and Saturday 24 of June 2006 at
Devonshire Park, Eastbourne. Each day’s play will commence
at 11:30am.
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