Birmingham will boast the women's big three next week.
World No. 3 Karolina Pliskova has accepted a wild card into the Nature Valley Classic joining world No. 1 Naomi Osaka and second-ranked Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty in the grass-court field.
It marks the first time in tournament history Birmingham will feature the top three-ranked women in the world.
While Australian Open semifinalist Pliskova stepped into the field, compatriot Petra Kvitova and American Madison Keys have stepped out due to injury.
A year ago, Kvitova defeated Magdaléna Rybáriková, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, to take the title.
The two-time Wimbledon winner continues her recovery from a left forearm injury that forced her to withdraw from Roland Garros last month.
Pliskova, a 2015 Birmingham finalist, joins a loaded field.
“I’m very happy to be coming back to Birmingham because it has a fantastic line-up of players this year and the competition will be really strong," Pliskova said. "There is no better way to open my grass court season. I have great memories of playing in the final there in 2015 and I’d love to go one better this time.”
The tournament features four Grand Slam champions: Osaka, Barty, Venus Williams and 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko. In addition, British No. 1 Johanna Konta and Elina Svitolina are entered.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve