Manchester has already shown its capacity and commitment to One Love with a showpiece of music that was the envy of the world.
Now it's the turn of Tennis to show that Manchester/West Didsbury still loves hosting live events to be proud of, when it hosts The Northern Lawn Tennis Club - Aegon Manchester Trophy in Didsbury 11th-18th June 2017.
Stockport's finest: Naomi Broady will have the locals cheering her every shot
Local girl Naomi Broady from Stockport - will have the home crowd's hopes on her shoulders. Broady is no stranger to holding ITF singles titles aloft - having won 9 in her career.
Broady will come to Manchester knowing that a good Grass Court season, will mean that she can really make an effort to better her career high ranking of 76. She will want as much court time as possible in preparation for Wimbledon.
On her day, 27 year old Naomi Broady is perfectly capable of playing above her ranking of 121 in the world and improving her 10-13 win/loss record this season. What is now one of her best victories and certainly the most memorable - came against the French Open 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko, in Auckland NZ last year. Broady's feistiness on the court came out in this match, as she became embroiled in a row over Ostapenko's actions. The Latvian appeared to hit a ball-boy when she threw her racket in frustration, actions that the Stockport girl did not like one bit.
Broady is charming off the court, but she certainly has the ability to be feisty when necessary.
A strong international field joins Broady
Some other notable entrants vying with Broady to win this ITF Women's Pro Circuit event that has double the prize money ($100,000) are:
Kai-Chen Chan- The 29 year old Chinese Taipei player is the highest ranked entrant: 102 in the world (she has a career high of 62) and will fancy her chances of making a successful start to her grass court season.
She recently lost out in the 2nd qualifying round of the French Open. Chang has won a grass court tournament, admittedly that was way back in in 2008 at Kurume, suggesting that she at least has some pedigree on grass.
Anna Blinkova - A twenty year old Russian who won two hardcourt ITF singles titles last season and, began this season by making the 2nd round in her first Grand Slam: the Australian Open.
Whilst being a relatively unknown quantity on grass she has potential, although needs to improve greatly on her 1st round exit in the Surbiton Grass court tournament, losing to little-known American Danielle Lao.
Kayla Day - A US Open junior champion, who has just wound up her clay court season with a run to the semi-final in Marseille. Whereby, she found the seasoned clay courter; Tatjana Maria, too much to handle in losing 6-1, 6-3. A good grass court season will help this prodigious American show that she has the potential to turn junior achievement into solid performances on the professional circuit.
The Brit-pack attack
One of the most laudable features of this event is that it provides opportunities for British players to show what they've got, and hopefully provide us with hope for the future.
Sam Murray - No relation to Andy, but hails from the same town as Naomi Broady (Stockport). The world number 588 is currently working her way through the qualifying for this event, having earned comprehensive victories over fellow Brits Olivia French and Louise Holtum. Sam will be a useful, local addition to the main draw and hopefully, keep the local interest alive for a little while.
Katy Dunne - 22 year old from Hemel Hempstead, is coming into this tournament off the back of a good run in Surbiton, losing to Britain's Heather Watson in the last eight. This experience will stand her in good stead for this Manchester event.
Putting Manchester on the tennis map
Hopefully, the weather will play nice to help this tournament bolster its reputation that has improved due to the prize money increase. A decent crowd with the odd good run from a British player and a quality field playing well will help to make this event a neat addition to the grass court season.
