TOURNAMENT director Anders Borg hopes the sight of legends at the Liverpool International can inspire a local star.

Professional tennis returns to Calderstones Park for a 10th consecutive summer with Martina Navratilova and Martina Hingis the headline names.

Borg admits the success of the June exhibition event has come as a surprise after its low key birth in 2002 when just 500 spectators watched the grass court action.

Last year’s tournament attracted over 20,000 people across the three days of tennis and Borg believes the growing appeal of the sport in Liverpool can held breed a Merseyside Grand Slam winner.

Inspiration has hardly been in short supply throughout the tournament’s history with John McEnroe, Goran Ivanisevic and Novak Djokovic amongst those to have played.

Appearing alongside both Martinas this year will be Greg Rusedski and Richard Krajicek, the Wimbledon winner from 1996, taking on local legend Barry Cowan.

“If you had told me 10 years ago we’d still be here then I would have thought you were wrong,” said Borg.

“We are really proud of what we have achieved. It is a constant, very close working relationship with Liverpool City Council as we look to develop and showcase tennis in a region which does not normally get to see much of the sport.

“I believe that the kids we have introduced tennis to in this area have shown desire. Some of the best footballers in the country come from here so there is no reason why a tennis player can’t be found.”