Eastbourne: Date, how to watch, when will Serena Williams play and more

The Eastbourne International, considered a warm-up tournament for Wimbledon, is set to get underway this weekend.

Played on outdoor grass courts, the WTA 500 event has a total prize pot of $757,900 (£624,000).

The Eastbourne International is often overshadowed by the build-up to Wimbledon, but the announcement that Serena Williams will return to the tennis court at the tournament has propelled it into the spotlight.

British tennis star Emma Raducanu could also compete as she bids to return to full fitness in time for Wimbledon.

Without further ado, GiveMeSport Women runs through everything you need to know about the Eastbourne International, including the schedule, the draw and how to watch.

Qualifying for the Eastbourne International starts on Saturday (June 18th), with the main draw getting underway on Sunday (June 19th).

The semi-finals are scheduled for June 24th, with the final set to be played on June 25th.

The tournament will be held at the Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club in Eastbourne, which is on the south coast of England.

The main court has a capacity of 8,000 people.

Jelena Ostapenko will be back to defend her Eastbourne International title, having triumphed last year against Anett Kontaveit, who is also set to return.

Two-time Eastbourne champion Karolína Plíšková will be competing, as will fellow Czech and world number 14 Barbora Krejčíková.

World number three Maria Sakkari and world number four Paula Badosa will look to capitalise on the absence of world number one Iga Świątek, who is currently recovering from a shoulder injury.

Serena Williams made a splash when she announced she would be returning to the tennis court after a 12-month break. The 40-year-old is set to play in the doubles tournament at