AFTER hosting a successful tournament last month, thoughts are already turning to next year's Aegon Ilkley Trophy, which will be held from June 16-24.

Among the plans to enhance the pre-Wimbledon event, which is being staged for the fourth time, are an additional two courts and resurfacing all of the other grass courts.

Other improvements could be more permanent toilets and an upgrade of the changing rooms.

Trophy tournament director Charlie Maunder, who is also Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club's general manager, said: "I think it was an excellent tournament for year three, and we plan to have two new courts extending into what is currently the main car park.

"We would also like to resurface all of the other grass courts, have more permanent toilets and upgrade the changing rooms, although the latter is not a priority."

Several days during last month's tournament – including Ladies' Day and the finals weekend – were sold out, and tickets are now on sale for the 2018 event.

They can be purchased via www.lta.org.uk/major-events/aegon-trophy-series/aegon-ilkley-trophy/2018-tickets

Aegon Ilkley Trophy entrants from this year continue to do well in international events.

Three of the four semi-finalists at last week's ATP World Tour Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island competed at Ilkley.

World No 249 Matthew Ebden, also a runner-up at Ilkley in 2015, beat Germany's Peter Gojowczyk 6-3, 6-3 in one semi-final, while top seed John Isner defeated fellow American Bjorn Fratangelo 6-2, 6-4 in the other half of the draw.

Ironically, the title at America's sole world-class grass-court tournament went to Isner, the only one of the quartet who didn't play at Ilkley.

He defeated Australia's Ebden 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), and the runner-up, who came through qualifying at both Ilkley and Newport, said: “I’m not that tired to be honest. I definitely didn’t lose because of anything physical, which is great.

"It’s a lot of reward for a lot of hard work, a lot of years of sacrifice.

"It’s disappointing, but at the same time I have to be happy with my week.”

Meanwhile, Aussies Matt Reid and John-Patrick Smith, who also played in the doubles at Ilkley and Wimbledon, lost the Newport final 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 to top seeds Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (Pakistan), who was doubles runner-up at Ilkley last year, and Rajeev Ram (United States).

Losing semi-finalists were Ilkley entrants Leander Paes (India) and Sam Groth (Australia) and Andrew Whittington and Alex Bolt (Ilkley singles runner-up), both of Australia.