Radwanska eyes repeat of 2008 Devonshire glory

Former Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska will lead a stellar women’s field at the Aegon International, in Eastbourne from 14th - 21st June.
Agnieszka RadwanskaAgnieszka Radwanska
Agnieszka Radwanska

The Polish world number 3 will be the highest ranked player in the main draw, which contains ten of the world’s top 20 women players and five of the last ten Eastbourne champions.

Radwanska reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January, and is hoping to continue her 2014 run of good form at the historic Devonshire Park tournament, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this summer.

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Radwanska said, “I’ve had some good performances in the early part of the year and I want to build on those going into the grass court season in the UK. Number 3 is my highest WTA ranking so far, which has given me confidence.

“I hope I can perform well at the Aegon International. The atmosphere and the crowd there are really great and Devonshire Park is a beautiful venue.”

In 2008 Radwanska beat Nadia Petrova in three sets, to take the Eastbourne title, before making the quarter finals at Wimbledon, which took her to number 10 in the world. She also became the first Polish player ever to make the top 10 on the WTA Tour. It’s a year the former champion will never forget.

She said, “Winning at Eastbourne in 2008 was such a positive experience for me in what turned out to be a breakthrough year. I finished in the top ten for the first time and won three WTA titles so I remember it well.”

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Since then Radwanska has produced some excellent performances on grass. She was runner up at Wimbledon to Serena Williams in 2012, in her first Grand Slam final, and made the semi-finals at the All England Club again last year.

She said, “I’ve had some good results in the UK over the last few years and I really enjoy playing here.

“The Aegon International is a really competitive tournament and is a great opportunity for me to play some tough matches on grass and help with my preparations for Wimbledon.”

The world’s biggest tennis stars have graced the grass courts at Devonshire Park over the last four decades, and the history of the tournament is something Radwanska and her fellow players respect enormously.

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She said, “I think this will be a special year for Eastbourne as it’s the 40th birthday of the tournament.

“So many tennis legends have played there and I’m sure all this year’s competitors will be very excited to take part in the tournament on such a special anniversary.”

With 2009 champion and former world number one Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, world number 7 and former US Open finalist Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, plus 2012 Wimbledon semi-finalist and world number 8, Angelique Kerber of Germany, also the mix, the action on court will be as hotter than ever this summer.

For information on how to get tickets for the Aegon International visit www.aegoninternational.co.uk

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