Eastbourne tennis is safe

11:32pm Wednesday 12th March 2008

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The Eastbourne tennis tournament is to carry on.

There were fears this year's event, from June 16-21, would be the last at Devonshire Park with the LTA reviewing all their pre-Wimbledon events.

Now the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour has revealed to The Argus that the Women's International is on their provisional calendar for 2009.

Dorothee Kurz, a spokesperson for the Tour in Europe, said: "Eastbourne has been scheduled as one of our 20 premier events for next year. It is in the same slot as this year, a week before Wimbledon. It has been agreed with the organisers of the tournament (the LTA).

"From an international point of view it is one of the key tournaments leading up to Wimbledon."

The 33-year-old event has had a glittering history with superstars like Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Jan Novotna, Kim Cljisters, Jana Novotna, Amelie Mauresmo and Justine Henin taking part.

Reigning champion Henin last year pleaded with organisers to keep the event going.

She said: "I hope I will be able to do the tournament next year and the next few years."