The women's tournament at Queen's Club this year outshone the men's event, drawing sell-out crowds and generating an unforgettable atmosphere. The highlight was Serena Williams' return to doubles after four years of retirement, alongside Victoria Mboko. Although Mboko suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in the first round, the event showcased impressive performances from British players Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu.
Strong British Performances
Boulter defeated world No. 2 Elena Rybakina to reach the semi-finals, while Raducanu won two matches in a day to reach her biggest final since winning the 2021 US Open. The women's tournament sold more than 70,000 tickets, operating at 98% capacity over the week and selling out on five of seven days. Up to 9,000 fans packed the stadium daily, even on working days.
Men's Event Struggles
In contrast, the men's event had one of its weakest fields, with only one top 10 player, Alex de Minaur, in the draw. Injuries to Carlos Alcaraz, Jack Draper, Lorenzo Musetti, Rafael Jódar, and Holger Rune weakened the competition. Additionally, the UK's tax laws for international players give an advantage to the Halle tournament, which featured seven of the top 11 players.
Organisational Success
The LTA faced challenges in bringing women's tennis back to Queen's after a 52-year absence, including concerns from club members and questions about London-centrism. However, the event was a resounding success. Prize money increased by more than a third to $1,915,000, the second highest for a standalone WTA 500 event, narrowing the gap with the men's tournament's €2,583,330 purse.
Donna Vekic, a lucky loser, defeated Raducanu in the final to win the biggest title of her career. The women's tournament has built momentum to establish itself as a staple of the British summer sporting calendar.
