25TH ASPALL TENNIS CLASSIC AT HURLINGHAM CLUB
FIVE-TIME Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova is set to play the 25th edition of the Aspall Tennis Classic at the prestigious Hurlingham Club, organisers IMG have confirmed.
The world-renowned tennis star, who is one of only ten women to hold the career Grand Slam and has a string of titles under her belt, will join a host of star players due to play at the popular event, including Grigor Dimitrov, Kevin Anderson, Lucas Pouille, Richard Gasquet, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov, Greg Rusedski, Mark Philippoussis, Thomas Enqvist, Mikael Pernfors and Mansour Bahrami.
Considered the ultimate warm up event to Wimbledon, the Aspall Tennis Classic takes place from Tuesday, June 26 until Friday, June 29 and combines timeless elegance and British tradition, providing guests with the ultimate opportunity to witness world-class tennis in unparalleled, exquisite surroundings.
One of the sport’s biggest stars, Russia’s Maria Sharapova has competed in the WTA tour since 2001, achieving World No.1 ranking in singles on no fewer than five separate occasions. She has a further 36 singles titles and five Grand Slam titles – two at Roland Garros, and one at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open. She is also an Olympic medallist, having secured silver in the women’s singles at the London 2012 Summer Olympics.
Currently ranked at World No. 23, Sharapova has achieved a rare level of longevity in the women’s game, winning at least one singles title per active year of play from 2003 until 2017. A two-time Roland Garros champion, the 31-year-old Sharapova is also set to play Wimbledon this year. She is no stranger to Hurlingham however, having played at the prominent event in 2011 and 2013. This year she will play two matches – one on Wednesday, June 27 and one on Friday, June 29.
Also announced to play is Spanish professional tennis player Pablo Carreño Busta, who is currently ranked World No.12 in men’s singles and has an impressive track record, with singles titles at Estoril, Moscow, Winston-Salem, and doubles titles in Rio de Janeiro, Beijing and Quito.
2018 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Aspall Tennis Classic at Hurlingham, which over the years has become one of the world’s most star-studded tennis exhibitions, tying together premier hospitality with a stellar player line-up. During its 25-year history some of the sport’s best players have competed at the event including Grand Slam champions Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and Marin Čilić, as well as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Kei Nishikori.
The Aspall Tennis Classic also draws many celebrity spectators; with past attendees including Eleanor Tomlinson, Emilia Fox, Sol Campbell and Romeo Beckham.
An IMG event, the Aspall Tennis Classic at Hurlingham takes place at the height of the tennis season, during the week prior to Wimbledon. Set in the tranquil 42-acre grounds of The Hurlingham Club, it is one of the most intimate tennis events in the social calendar, showcasing both the stars of today and all-time legends playing in a series of exhibition matches as they finalise their preparations ahead of Wimbledon.
