Eastbourne Tennis director backs Jack Draper and Katie Boulter to shine at Devonshire Park

Eastbourne tennis tournament director Rebecca James believes the recent success of British players bodes well for Devonshire Park this week.

British No 1 Katie Boulter arrives fresh from defending her Nottingham Open crown, while on the men's side the impressive Jack Draper won his first ATP tour title at Stuttgart last week.

Drapper, 22, also enjoyed one of the best victories of his career at Queen’s on Thursday with a straight sets triumph against French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu is also showing encouraging signs following numerous injuries as she reached the semi-final at Nottingham last week, before losing a tight all-British affair to Boulter in three sets.

Hopes of seeing Andy Murray at Devonshire Park look slim however as the 37-year-old retired from his match at Queen's on Wednesday with a back issue. The three-time grand slam winner and twice Olympic gold medallist is now a major doubt for Wimbledon.

James feels the form of the British players – alongside eight of the WTA top 20 players – will light-up Devonshire Park as the tournament celebrates its 50th anniversary.

It could even deliver a first British winner since Virginia Wade beat Billie Jean King in the final way back in 1975.

"It's certainly a possibility," said James. "With Katie [Boulter] and Jack Draper winning, it's the first time in 53 years that a British woman and man have won a tour level event in the same week.

"The British players all love competing on home soil and love the support they get from the crowd at Devonshire Park. It means a lot to them and I'm sure it will be exciting to see British players competing at such a top level."

Eastbourne has welcomed the world's best throughout the 50 years. Martina Navratilova holds the record for the most singles titles with 11, while the likes of Chris Evert, Monica Seles, Justine Henin, Novak Djokovic and Andy Roddick have all graced the centre court and held aloft the trophy.

"I first came to watch the tournament as a seven year-old," James added. "Growing up in East Sussex it was an annual feature. In my role now, I can see the value of these grass court tournaments. They are the shop window and it's such an opportunity to inspire everyone to pick up a racket."

The tournament will however be downgraded next year as Queen's London will host the WTA 500. It will mean fewer ranking points and the number of top-ranked players will be restricted – but James insists the event will still prosper.

"It will have the same draw size and that same atmosphere and charm. Of the five grand slam champions who will compete this year, four of those would still be eligible.

"The top players will still be here the week before Wimbledon competing on the best grass courts."The tournament at Devonshire Park runs from 22-29 June.