Anger over scrapped tennis event

Jamie Murray (right) was a British winner at Nottingham in 2007

City council bosses say they are "extremely disappointed" a major men's tennis tournament is being moved from Nottingham to Eastbourne in 2009.

The Lawn Tennis Association is to scrap the Nottingham Open after this summer.

Nottingham City Councillor David Trimble said the decision was "fundamentally wrong" for the future of tennis in the city.

The LTA said the move would "re-energise" the tennis calendar and raise the sport's profile nationally.

'Great loss'

There will be a new joint men's and women's tournament in Eastbourne in 2009.

Mr Trimble said: "The Nottingham Open represents a prestigious event in the tennis calendar and has helped endorse the good reputation Nottingham has for delivering sporting and other events.

"The LTA has a responsibility to deliver and develop tennis to communities across the country and the council feels that the decision will not only be a great loss to Nottingham and tennis development but will also remove the only blue ribbon event outside of London."

He said the Nottingham Tennis Centre would still receive a £735,000 refurbishment.

Redevelopment work, which will see a new fitness suite at the site, is expected to be completed by autumn 2008.

Roger Draper, chief executive of the LTA, said: "We are confident that the changes will help to re-energise the calendar and open up the sport to a new audience, as well as offering a better experience for existing fans."