Jacob Fearnley will lead the British contingent at the first tournament of the 2026 grass court tennis season, as the entry list for the ATP Challenger draw at the Lexus Birmingham Open is confirmed.
British Stars Set for Birmingham
Following the announcement of a stacked women's entry list last week, which includes newly confirmed wild card Harriet Dart, the men's draw promises excitement. Dart has enjoyed a resurgent 2026, playing a key role in the Lexus Great Britain Billie Jean King Cup team's triumph against Australia in Melbourne in April. She is set to feature alongside 16 of the world's top 100 players, headlined by The Philippines' Alexandra Eala and reigning HSBC Championships champion Tatjana Maria.
After a rapid rise in 2024, which saw him reach the top 100 for the first time, Fearnley has quickly established himself at the top of the British game. His performances on British grass helped propel him up the rankings, including claiming the Lexus Nottingham Open title in 2024 after coming through qualifying. Fearnley will be hoping to bring those same levels to the Edgbaston Priory Club this summer.
Rising Star Jack Pinnington Jones
Joining Fearnley in Birmingham will be rising star Jack Pinnington Jones, who is hoping to replicate his stellar 2025 grass court season. Pinnington Jones reached his first ATP Challenger final in Ilkley, made his ATP Tour debut in Eastbourne, and earned his first ever Grand Slam main draw win over then world No. 53 Tomas Martin Etcheverry at Wimbledon. He has since continued his rise in 2026, reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 133, and will be looking to bring that form to Birmingham's grass courts.
Other Notable Entries
Other names heading to Birmingham include Otto Virtanen, who claimed the title in Birmingham last summer and will be seeking to retain his crown, along with Norway's rising star Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, who faced off against Cam Norrie and Jacob Fearnley in the Davis Cup earlier this year.
Tournament Director's Comments
Kirsty Thomson, Tournament Director of the Lexus Birmingham Open, said: "We're delighted to confirm a strong British cohort is set to compete at the Edgbaston Priory Club this summer. For Jacob and Jack in the men's draw and Harriet in the women's, kicking off their grass court season in front of a strong home crowd is sure to be a major boost, and we can't wait for world class tennis to get underway in just three weeks time."
Tickets are still available for the Lexus Birmingham Open. Get set for the tennis festival of the summer with world class tennis, entertainment and more. Centre Court tickets start from £40, with grounds admission tickets priced at £12 for adults and kids for free.
