We look back on the success of this year’s Lexus Ilkley Open which saw record crowds flock to watch an incredible week of action both on and off the court.

It was a week to remember as Ilkley Tennis & Squash Club once again pulled out all stops and raised the bar higher than ever to host the incredibly successful Lexus Ilkley Open tennis tournament.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary of hosting the event, over 20,000 fans flocked to the famous club in June to witness a week-long sporting and musical extravaganza that delivered both on and off the court.

With its new position as an Open tournament and elevation to the WTA Tour as a WTA 125 tournament, this year’s Lexus Ilkley Open was always going to attract a higher calibre player and included in the line-up was former US Open champion Marin Cilic, Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak, Miami Open semi-finalist Alexandra Eala and defending Ilkley women’s champion Rebecca Marino.

But it was Australian Tristan Schoolkate, the No.7 seed who lifted the men’s singles trophy after defeating Britain’s Jack Pinnington Jones, while in the women’s singles, 17-year-old Iva Jovic from America, secured the title against reigning champ Marino.

In the men’s doubles Diego Hidalgo and Patrik Trhac won the men’s doubles and Isabelle Haverlag and Simona Waltert picked up the women’s doubles trophy.

And while there was no shortage of action on the court it was the arrival of the Beyond the Baseline showcase that elevated the event to new levels of excellence.

Designed to deliver a series of entertainment events that would enhance the experience for spectators throughout the week in the J. Lindberg fan park, it proved a huge success with acts like Chris Moyles and his 90s disco, Scouting For Girls, Toploader and the brilliant Ibiza Classic Symphony all thrilling sell-out crowds.

With a plentiful array of delicious food stalls and bars to keep everybody fed and watered and the introduction of shops, terraces and champagne bars, the tournament has certainly grown into one of the country’s most prestigious sporting events in the space of 10 years.

Over 12,000 meals were served in the hospitality suites to a record number of guests who flocked to the tournament, and it is estimated that the local economy enjoyed a
£1 million boost that was fuelled by the number of visitors who visited the town throughout the week.

Local shops and businesses came together to support the tournament with many decorating their shop windows to provide a colourful backdrop to all who visited. Club chairman Rik Smith was delighted to the response from all who visited the town and tournament over the week.

He said: “We always hoped this would be the biggest and best tournament but it exceeded all our expectations and the feedback from everybody who attended has been phenomenal.

“But this isn’t just about tennis–it’s about Ilkley coming together. From kids in the ball crew to families in the stands, we’re proud to have  built a festival that’s put our town on the map.

“Seeing thousands of spectators from the whole region descend on Ilkley makes me incredibly proud because it is now more than a tournament–it’s a celebration of our community.”