British player Katie Boulter will compete in the Bad Homburg Open after receiving a main-draw wild card. The decision comes as the WTA 500 event begins on June 20, the same day as the Eastbourne Open in Britain.
Boulter had been expected to prepare for Wimbledon at the home event in Eastbourne. Instead she will travel to Germany following her withdrawal from the Nottingham Open three days after accepting a wild card there.
The Eastbourne tournament was downgraded to WTA 250 status this year. Bad Homburg remains a WTA 500 event and features top players including Iga Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva.
Tennis journalist José Morgado called the choice unusual on social media. Former doubles world No. 1 Rennae Stubbs noted the difference in tournament level as a likely factor.
Boulter faces a stronger field in Bad Homburg but gains the chance to test herself against elite opponents before Wimbledon.
