[3] At the start of the open era in 1968 it became part of the independent International Tennis Federation annual tour until 1973.

Originally a replacement of the Manchester Open and was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit from (1973–77), it was also a Grand Prix Super Series prestigious event (1974–75), which was discontinued after the 2008 edition, and the International Women's Open at Eastbourne became a combined event for both male and female players.

The event had, according to the council, been partly responsible for stimulating interest in tennis in Nottingham.

The Nottingham Tennis Centre, which had hosted the Open, had undergone refurbishments costing £735,000 in 2008, and councillor Dave Trimble called it "great news" to have a new tennis event in the city.

[7][8] In 2015 Birmingham based company Eventmasters LTD[9] were appointed by the LTA to promote official hospitality at both the WTA ATP Open events transforming part of the indoor court area into the Sherwood Suite.