The first Premier-level tournament of the grasscourt season, the $1,006,263 Nature Valley Classic, is about to kick off in Birmingham and the field is stronger than ever, featuring all the world’s Top 3 WTA players.
While we are expecting the arrival of No.1 Naomi Osaka and fresh French Open champion Ashleigh Barty, third-ranked Karolina Pliskova has already had a close meeting with the trophy, having participated in Saturday’s draw ceremony. Besides the WTA Top 3, Top 10 players Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka further strengthen the field, together with wildcard Venus Williams, the five-time Wimbledon champion who is playing her first Wimbledon tune-up tournament since Eastbourne 2011.