YORKSHIRE’S Paul Jubb cannot wait to play on home turf at next week’s Ilkley Trophy (June 12-19).

The Hull man, who shot to prominence by winning the prestigious NCAA title three years ago in the United States, will be among the British players hoping for glory at the North of England’s biggest professional tennis event, with the main draw starting next Monday.

Proud Northerner Jubb, 22, said: “The last time I played there was in 2019 and I had a good experience then.

“A lot has changed since then, but I’m happy to be playing back up north,”

Jubb, who has played at Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club before, added: “It’s a nice venue and atmosphere.

“Growing up I used to play there in mini-regional junior events and I looked forward to going there.”

Jubb has competed all around the world and is likely to feature in the Wimbledon Championships, which get underway on Monday, June 27, but he says that there is really no place like home – especially when that means that friends and family can cheer him on.

“It’s one of the only times they’ll get to see me play live throughout the year, so It’s good to have them around,” he says.

Jubb will be joined in the $125,000 ATP Challenger men’s pre-Wimbledon grass-court event by international stars such as American two-time Wimbledon men’s doubles champion Jack Sock and swashbuckling Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.

On the women’s side, Great Britain’s Katie Swan is among the entries for the $100,000 ITF World Tour event, which is played alongside the men, and will face competition from newly-crowned French Open women’s doubles champion Kristina Mladenovic, who, like Sock, Verdasco and France’s Gilles Simon, has been ranked inside the top 10 in singles.

Singles top seeds are set to be Jiri Veseley of the Czech Republic and Sweden’s Rebecca Petersen.

Next week marks the first time since 2019 that the Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club has hosted the Ilkley Trophy after the global pandemic disrupted the tennis schedule and led to events being cancelled or moved (like the Ilkley Trophy was to Nottingham in 2021).

The Club’s chairman Rik Smith says that there is a huge buzz around the town as it gets ready to host world-class tennis in one of the most picturesque locations on the tour.

“The stage is set for a fantastic tournament this year and it’s brilliant to have the Ilkley Trophy back where it belongs,” said Smith.

“We have an amazing line-up of players from all over the world, including some really strong British players like Paul and Katie, and it promises to be a fantastic day out at the tennis for everyone lucky enough to have ticket

A small number of tickets are still available, with ground admission tickets starting at £12 and limited luxury hospitality packages available.

For tickets an more information, go to: www.ilkleytrophy.co.uk