Key workers offered free tickets to international tennis in Eastbourne

Karolina Pliskova won the women's singles at Eastbourne in 2019 - the event was cancelled last year / Picture: Getty

The national governing body for tennis in Great Britain has announced that more than 1,000 tickets will be made available across its major summer grass court events, all of which were cancelled last year because of the pandemic.

The tournaments are expected to operate at approximately 25% capacity this year - a number that will be subject to UK government and Public Health England guidance to ensure that sporting events are socially distanced and safe for anyone attending.

Tickets will be offered to key workers local to each event venue from the NHS, local police force and fire service, local transport workers and other local authority workers, via their employers.

There will be 30 tickets available per day for East Sussex key workers to attend the LTA’s Eastbourne International at Devonshire Park which this year takes place from June 21 to 27.

Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to be able to make these tickets available to key workers to thank them for their incredible efforts over the past 14 months. Everyone at the LTA is very grateful for the sacrifices they have made in what has been an exceptionally difficult time for the whole country and we sincerely hope that they will enjoy our events.

"Sport isn’t the same without spectators and, even though our events this year will operate with reduced capacity crowds, I can’t wait to see supporters back in the stands – with key workers among them.”

Chris Pollard, LTA Digital & Events Director, said: “Our events have always been rooted in their local communities and we’re pleased to be able to recognise the efforts of our incredible key workers with this offer to enjoy free world class tennis at their local venues this summer.

"Even though they will look different, we are looking forward to bringing our events back this summer and it will be a great pleasure to welcome so many of those who continue to lead our fight against the pandemic.”

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