Police launch investigation into alleged assault of tennis coach at Birmingham Open

Police are investigating after a coach was allegedly assaulted by a member of grounds staff at this week’s Birmingham Open tennis tournament.

According to Australian tennis player James McCabe, the altercation occurred following a dispute between his father and coach Patrick and the staff member at the Edgbaston Priory Club over the use of practice courts on Monday morning.

Writing on Instagram, James McCabe, who is ranked 234 in the world, described the event as a “serious police-reported player/coach safety incident at the tournament venue.

“My account is that he was followed, physically handled by a staff member, and left in pain afterwards.”

West Midlands Police said in a statement: “We received a report of a man being assaulted at a venue in Sir Harrys Road, Birmingham on June 1. No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.”

McCabe, who lost his first-round match, added on Wednesday morning that his father had gone to hospital as a result of the incident.

The tournament is the first of the British grass-court season and features events on the second-tier ATP Challenger and WTA 125 tours.

It is run by the Lawn Tennis Association and a joint statement from the governing body, the ATP and Edgbaston Priory Club read: “There is an ongoing investigation being led by Edgbaston Priory Club with support from the ATP and LTA in relation to an incident during the Lexus Birmingham Open on Monday, June 1.

“This incident involves an allegation made against a member of Edgbaston Priory Club staff by a player’s coach and is currently being reviewed by an investigating officer.

“We will be making no further comment whilst the investigation is ongoing.”

The grass-court season will continue next week once the French Open concludes, with some of the world’s best players heading to Queen’s.

The third grand slam of the year will then take centre stage later this month when Wimbledon gets underway on 29 June.

Jannik Sinner is the defending men’s champion after beating Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s final, while Iga Swiatek will be aiming to defend the title she won by thrashing Amanda Anisimova in 2025.