AEGON International wildcards for Goodall, Ward, Fleming
British players Joshua Goodall, James Ward and Colin Fleming have been granted wildcards into the main draw of the AEGON International, which runs from June 14 to 20 at Devonshire Park.
The prestigious tournament is a combined men’s and women’s event this year for the first time in its history.
British No.10, Fleming, will compete in the first ATP event of his career when he takes to the courts in Eastbourne.
The Scot has climbed 174 places in the singles rankings this season and has also enjoyed a string of impressive results in doubles.
He and fellow Briton Ken Skupski were runners-up at the AEGON Trophy last week and knocked the No.2 seeds, the Bryan brothers, out of the AEGON Championships at the Queen’s Club on Wednesday.
Fleming said he was excited to have been offered main draw wildcards into both the singles and doubles at the AEGON International. “To get to play doubles and singles for the first time at an ATP event is a dream,” said Fleming.
“Ken (Skupski) and I have had some great results in doubles in Nottingham and at Queen’s and I’m working very hard to improve my singles ranking as well at the moment so this is perfect for me.”
The 24-year-old said he was relishing the opportunity to play in front of home crowds during the AEGON British Tennis Series. “We’ve had great support at the AEGON International and I definitely feel I lift my game when I play in front of a home crowd.
“To have that crowd behind me and supporting me is great and I’m just looking forward to getting down to Eastbourne and playing my best tennis.”
British No.3 Goodall, from Hampshire, got his grass-court season off to a flying start at the AEGON Trophy last week. The 24-year-old qualified for the tournament before reaching the semifinals of the main draw where he lost a close contest against Ilia Bozoljac of Serbia.
British No.4, Ward won his first Challenger title last month at the clay-court event in Sarasota, Florida. The Middlesex player said he is delighted to have been given the opportunity to play at an ATP Tour-level grass-court event on home soil.
