The rain could be the biggest challenge for the singles semifinalists at the Charleston Open on Daniel Island, South Carolina today. Long delays do different things to different players and the conditions could indeed affect the outcomes of these seminal semis.
According to the WTA, Jessica Pegula has never taken a set from defending champion Belinda Bencic, and the American is 0-2 against top 20 players on clay in her career. Meanwhile, Bencic is 3-0 against Pegula (including the Tokyo Olympics) and is on the cusp of becoming the first back-to-back titleholder in Charleston since Serena Williams dominated in 2012-2013.
So why, oh why, is Pegula a favorite in this match with Vegas at -132? The pair have both played seven sets of tennis to get here, with both facing their toughest challenges in the Round of 16, where Pegula stunned Begu and Bencic overcame Rogers. Bencic should not be an underdog of any kind, no matter how slight, over the top seed. The edge is even here, but Bencic is a better bet due to the odds.
The Jabeur-Kasatkina is a slightly different story with Jabeur as a clear favorite to win today (-180). Jabeur hasn’t dropped a set in Chucktown, and in fact, hasn’t even played 6 sets of tennis since Anna Kalinskaya retired at 4-1 in the second set of her quarterfinal match. Kasatkina destroyed Madison Brengle in the second round, before winning very competitive matches against the very competitive Bernarda Pera and Vika Azarenka.
2 seed Jabeur is still looking for her first top 10 win of the season but has taken four in a row from world #8 Kasatkina, and I expect a three set thriller in this one with a slight edge to the Tunisian to play in the final for a second straight year. Kasatkina is still a decent bet at +150, because she will have more than a chance to win.
It’s the first time that a WTA 500 tournament has had all four top seeds in the semifinals in eleven years. That should offer spectators very intriguing matches today, tonight or whenever the rain abates. It’s 57 and drizzly now. Be patient and buckle up.
Daria Kasatkina, 2018 Volvo Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)
CHARLESTON TENNIS, LLC ANNOUNCES CREDIT ONE BANK AS NEW TITLE SPONSOR OF WTA 500 TENNIS TOURNAMENT AND WORLD-CLASS STADIUM
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Tennis, LLC has unveiled Credit One Bank as the new title sponsor of the WTA 500 tennis tournament hosted in Charleston, SC and state-of-the-art stadium located at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center. The tennis tournament, formerly known as the Volvo Car Open, is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America and will celebrate its 50th year April 2-10, 2022 at the newly renovated and modernized Credit One Stadium. A new event name will be revealed at a later date.
Credit One has committed to a multi-year title sponsorship with Charleston Tennis, LLC. The data-driven financial services company based in Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing providers of credit cards in the United States and has existing sponsorships with sports and entertainment organizations including NASCAR®, the Las Vegas Raiders, WWE® and the Vegas Golden Knights.
“The future of live tennis is a bright spot for us, building and planning for what the future will look like for the new Credit One Stadium. After nearly 18 months of navigating postponements and cancelations, we look forward to bringing world-class tennis back to Charleston each April and broadening our reach to bigger and better concerts and special events throughout the year,” said Bob Moran, president of Charleston Tennis, LLC.
Credit One first partnered with Charleston Tennis, LLC in June of 2020 for the Credit One Bank Invitational, which was part of Tennis Channel’s Re(Open) Tour and the first large-scale tennis event to be held after the sport shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament featured 16 players, received more than 40 hours of live coverage on Tennis Channel, and helped raise funds for the Medical University of South Carolina’s frontline healthcare workers. Following the success of the event, Credit One and Charleston Tennis, LLC began exploring additional partnership opportunities through sponsorship of the Daniel Island stadium and activation around the tennis tournament and throughout the region.
“We’re proud to be working with Charleston Tennis, LLC, and the City of Charleston to build on the great history of this tournament and give the passionate fan base in the area and women’s tennis players from around the world a great experience at a state-of-the-art venue,” said John Coombe, senior vice president of marketing at Credit One. “We want to grow the Credit One brand name throughout the region while continuing to invest in entertainment and community programs important to our customers and fans.”
Volvo Cars USA will continue to support tennis as the official vehicle of the WTA 500 event. The luxury automobile maker has been a valued partner of the tennis tournament and stadium since investing in the Charleston area with its revolutionary production facility. As part of its commitment to the community, the company devoted six years to the WTA 500 tennis tournament and venue on Daniel Island, serving as the title sponsor from 2016 to 2021.
Since 1973, South Carolina’s WTA 500 tennis tournament has been a pioneer in women’s professional sports, paving the path for female tennis players to receive equal recognition, respect and pay in the sport. Originally held on Hilton Head Island, the event moved to Charleston in 2001 and is played on Daniel Island at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center, home to what will now be called the Credit One Stadium.
“We welcome Credit One to the WTA Tour in its commitment to both serve as the title sponsor of the Charleston WTA 500 tournament and in placing its name on the newly renovated, state-of-the-art stadium in which the event is played,” said Steve Simon, WTA chairman and CEO. “Charleston has a rich history with the WTA as one of the longest standing women’s-only professional tennis tournaments in the world, and is a Tour favorite among the players. We look forward to working with Credit One, along with all of the sponsors, to continue the growth and success of this prestigious tournament for many years to come.”
Charleston Tennis, LLC, which manages the stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, is currently renovating and modernizing the 20-year-old facility. The city-owned venue is undergoing upgrades to enhance the stadium experience for patrons, performers, tennis players and event management, allowing the venue to attract world-class athletes and talent to Daniel Island.
Credit One Stadium will expand from 7,500 seats to 11,000 seats and feature 16 fully conditioned permanent suites, all-new concessions, more bathrooms and a 75,000-square-foot Stage House with a partial roof. The Stage House will transform the stadium experience for tennis players, entertainers, media and special guests, offering locker rooms, a gym, training facilities, production and media space, catering amenities and a VIP rooftop restaurant and outdoor bar. The roof of the Stage House will also provide partial shade for attendees at the tennis tournament and act as a support structure for concerts and special events.
Charleston Tennis, LLC will continue to own and operate the facilities and event programming at the Credit One Stadium and LTP Daniel Island tennis center, including the WTA 500 tennis tournament, concerts, tennis programs and more.
Kudermetova, Kovinic Look For Big Hardware Today in Unlikely Volvo Car Open Final Matchup
Nobody asked me, but yesterday I tipped the two losers of the semifinals matches. Ons Jabeur looked horrible on court after a strong week and Danka Kovinic took full advantage in route to a 6-3, 6-2 upset. No one should bet against Veronika Kudermetova today after another dominant outing, this time a 5th straight straight sets win for the Russian. In fact, those 10 straight sets sets up another milestone: she could be the first woman since Serena Williams in 2012 to win this WTA 500 event without dropping a set.
Nobody asked me, but this final feels like it should be played next Sunday as the showcase showdown for the MUSC Health Women’s Open, the WTA 250 event already underway. That said, it wouldn’t surprise me if next Sunday’s final finds higher-ranked players vying for the trophy than the Volvo Car Open. Ons Jabeur, Magda Linette, Shelby Rogers and Alize Cornet are your top four seeds and it may be time for them to shine. But hey, unseeded Danka Kovinic is in the mix as well as Clara Tauson, so buckle up, Charleston.
Photo Credit: Chris Simon, Volvo Car Open
Nobody asked me, but the Althea Gibson Stadium Court has never looked better. The fanless event allowed tournament organizers to use more of the real estate for flowers and video boards. With no spectator sightlines to interrupt, the look on television was a gorgeous one. It made up for the all day barrage of 18-wheelers making noise on the I-526 bridge right above the north end of the stadium.
Nobody asked me, but if I lived in Charleston, I might have had to feign car trouble a few times on that bridge last week just to catch a few sets.
Nobody asked me, but if I had to pick the winner today, it’d be hard to bet against Kudermetova. So there’s your opening, Danka. This whole week has been filled with opposite days.
6 Grand Slam Champs, 3 Former #1 Players Highlight @VolvoCarOpen Player Field
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Volvo Car Open, to be held without fans April 3 – 11 on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC, has announced its preliminary player field for the 2021 tournament. The field for the premier women’s-only professional tennis tournament in North America is led by World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and features some of the top players in the world.
The Volvo Car Open’s 56-player draw is made up of 43 direct entries into the tournament, five wild cards and eight qualifiers. Kim Clijsters has already accepted a wild card for the event. Four additional players will join the main draw via wild card entry, to be announced at a later date.
“The world of live sporting events has had to make many difficult decisions over the past year,” said Bob Moran, Tournament Director for the Volvo Car Open. “We wish we could host a stadium full of fans in 2021 to appreciate the world-class talent represented in our player field, from WTA’s top-ranked Ashleigh Barty and our defending champion Madison Keys, to next generation tennis stars like Sofia Kenin and Coco Gauff. We are grateful that our broadcast partner Tennis Channel will air first ball to last ball main draw matches, providing our fans with more than 70 hours of live tennis and an opportunity to watch the powerful and entertaining competition on our courts this year. We look forward to getting back to normal in 2022 with a newly renovated stadium and celebrating 50 years of professional women’s tennis.”
Highlights from the main draw include:
21 countries represented in the international player field, including 10 Americans
Three past Volvo Car Open champions: Madison Keys (2019), Kiki Bertens (2018) and Sloane Stephens (2016)
Six Grand Slam champions: Sofia Kenin (2020 Australian Open), Ashleigh Barty (2019 French Open), Garbiñe Muguruza (2016 French Open and ‘17 Wimbledon), Sloane Stephens (2017 US Open), Jelena Ostapenko (2017 French Open) and Kim Clijsters (2005, ‘09 & ‘10 US Open and ‘11 Australian Open)
Three Former World No. 1 Ranked Players: Ashleigh Barty (current), Garbiñe Muguruza and Kim Clijsters
Debut player field appearance by Coco Gauff and Kim Clijsters
Charleston native Shelby Rogers to compete in hometown tournament again
At the top of the Volvo Car Open player field is current World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty. The 2021 Volvo Car Open will mark the Australian’s second time playing in Charleston. She has held the top WTA singles ranking for the past two seasons, stemming from winning her first Premier Mandatory title at the Miami Open, her first Grand Slam title at the French Open and her first WTA Finals title.
American Sofia Kenin celebrated her first Top 10 season in 2020. She earned her first Grand Slam title at the 2020 Australian Open and ended the year as World No. 4. The 2021 Volvo Car Open will be the 22-year-old’s fourth time competing in Charleston.
2018 Volvo Car Open champion Kiki Bertens will play the Volvo Car Open for the fifth time. The Dutch player finished 2020 in the top 10 for the third year in a row and has amassed 10 career WTA titles.
Rounding out the top-four in Charleston’s player field is Garbiñe Muguruza. Since her last appearance at the Volvo Car Open in 2013, the Spanish player has captured seven career titles, including the 2017 Wimbledon and 2016 Roland-Garros titles, and reached the World No. 1 ranking.
Current Volvo Car Open champion Madison Keys will also return two years later to defend her title. Keys defeated Caroline Wozniacki in the 2019 Volvo Car Open final to capture her fourth career WTA title and her first on clay.
The 2021 Volvo Car Open will be held without fans due to the ongoing pandemic. The tournament has partnered with the WTA and the Medical University of South Carolina to develop its health and safety protocols for the event, which will allow the team to create a safe atmosphere for players, essential staff and operational partners. Both Tennis Channel and WTA Media have agreed to broadcast the 2021 Volvo Car Open, providing a full week of coverage and more than 70+ hours of live tennis for fans both in the U.S. and abroad.
The Volvo Car Open was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since 1973, the tournament has been a pioneer in women’s professional sports, paving the path for female tennis players to receive equal recognition, respect and pay in the sport. Originally held on Hilton Head Island, the event moved to Charleston in 2001 and is now played on Daniel Island at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center, home to the Volvo Car Stadium.
Charleston Tennis, LLC, which manages the Volvo Car Stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, recently announced plans to renovate and modernize the 20-year-old Volvo Car Stadium. The city-owned facility will undergo upgrades to enhance the stadium experience for patrons, performers, tennis players and event management, allowing the venue to attract world-class athletes and talent to Daniel Island.
For more information on the Volvo Car Open, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.
Tournament to be held as made-for-TV event, April 3 – 11, 2021
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Volvo Car Open, the premier women’s-only professional tennis tournament in North America, will be held as scheduled, April 3-11, 2021, in Charleston, SC without fans. With public health and safety as the event’s top priority, the tournament will forgo its traditional on site fan environment to create a made-for-TV tennis event instead. This change will allow the Volvo Car Open to still operate in 2021, providing tennis players an opportunity to compete and earn a living and offering fans a unique and engaging broadcast experience they can enjoy from home.
The tournament reached this decision after closely monitoring the rise in COVID-19 cases and consulting with local government and health officials. Ticket holders will receive communication from the Volvo Car Open’s ticketing department on processing ticket refunds.
“After much deliberation, our team has made the difficult but necessary decision to host the 2021 Volvo Car Open without fans,” said Bob Moran, Volvo Car Open Tournament Director. “We delayed this decision as long as we possibly could in hopes that the end result may be different. But, in order to successfully execute a fan experience that complies with all guidelines and requirements given by local government and health officials, we would need to begin building our event facilities this week. Unfortunately, with the ongoing high positivity numbers and the potential of unknown restrictions on travel to the U.S., we have concluded that the creation of a made-for-TV tournament is the best possible outcome for the 2021 Volvo Car Open.”
Both Tennis Channel and WTA Media have agreed to broadcast the 2021 Volvo Car Open, providing a full week of coverage for fans both in the U.S. and abroad.
The tournament is actively working in partnership with the WTA and the Medical University of South Carolina on the development of health and safety protocols for the event, which will allow the team to create a safe atmosphere for players, essential staff and operational partners.
The Volvo Car Open was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since 1973, the tournament has been a pioneer in women’s professional sports, paving the path for female tennis players to receive equal recognition, respect and pay in the industry. Originally held on Hilton Head Island, the event moved to Charleston in 2001 and is now played on Daniel Island at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center, home to the Volvo Car Stadium.
Charleston Tennis, LLC, which manages the Volvo Car Stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, recently announced plans to renovate and modernize the 20-year-old Volvo Car Stadium. The city-owned facility will undergo upgrades to enhance the stadium experience for patrons, performers, tennis players and event management, allowing the venue to attract world-class athletes and talent to Daniel Island.
Fanny Stollar, 2018 Volvo Car Open
“Although we are disappointed by our recent event updates, we are already looking ahead to the future”, said Moran. “We are making great progress with the Volvo Car Stadium renovations and are excited to unveil this reimagined space at the celebration of our 50th tennis event in 2022. Our upgraded venue will continue to provide unforgettable entertainment experiences with new state-of-the-art features and elevated patron services.”
For more information on the Volvo Car Open, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.
Who Says You Can’t Do The Charleston in 2020? Women’s Tennis Resumes Next Week With @CreditOneBank Invitational
CREDIT ONE BANK INVITATIONAL ANNOUNCES MATCH SCHEDULE, SCORING AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Tournament will receive live coverage on Tennis Channel June 23 – 28 daily at 4pm EST
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Competitive professional tennis returns to Charleston, SC next week with the new Credit One Bank Invitational, contested June 23 – 28 at LTP Daniel Island. The 16-player team event will receive more than 40 hours of live coverage on Tennis Channel and raise funds for frontline healthcare workers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
The public has played an important role in MUSC’s response to the pandemic. To date, community donations have supported testing, medical research and relief for MUSC healthcare workers experiencing financial hardships due to the virus. Throughout the tournament, viewers wishing to support these efforts can make gifts online at give.musc.edu/CreditOneBank.
The tournament will kick off on Tennis Channel on June 22 at 8pm EST with the Credit One Bank Invitational draft with team captains, Madison Keys (Team Kindness) and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (Team Peace). The captain who wins the coin toss, happening at a media online press conference earlier in the week, will have first draft pick, then the captains will alternate until all selections have been made. Tennis Channel will air each player’s profile during the draft with information on their Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) for singles and doubles. Results from the tournament will be counted towards each player’s individual UTR.
Tennis Channel will air live coverage of the Credit One Bank Invitational every day at 4pm EST from June 23 – June 28.
“We are excited to support the Credit One Bank Invitational and its exciting team format with Universal Tennis’ innovative tools and technology,” said Mark Leschly, Universal Tennis Chairman & CEO. “When matches count for UTR, local play has a global impact. Every tennis player in the world, from the pros in Charleston to recreational players, can view their rating, monitor their competitive ability and register for events on MyUTR.com for free.”
Sofia Kenin, Charleston 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)
The Credit One Bank Invitational’s player field includes reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin as well as Keys, Mattek-Sands, Sloane Stephens, Victoria Azarenka, Amanda Anisimova, Monica Puig, Ajla Tomljanovic, Danielle Collins, Alison Riske, Shelby Rogers, Genie Bouchard, Jennifer Brady, Leylah Fernandez, Emma Navarro and Caroline Dolehide. Bianca Andreescu was originally slated to play in the tournament, but has withdrawn from the event. Dolehide has taken her place in the field.
The event has worked closely with MUSC throughout the planning process to ensure a secure environment for all players and staff. MUSC developed the event’s official health and safety protocol plan, and their ‘Back to Work’ team established the tournament’s health guidelines, which include: on-site testing, daily temperature tests and health questionnaires, sanitizing equipment at high touch areas and mandatory face masks for all personnel. Housing for players will also be located within walking distance of the stadium.
To maintain social distancing guidelines, each competitor will have her own lounge around the stadium, where she can cheer on her teammates. Tennis Channel will air behind-the-scenes content filmed by players throughout the tournament and check-in with players in their lounges during the broadcast for updates.
On court, players will call their own lines and the tournament will only use one official. Two ball crew members will wear gloves and use equipment to avoid touching the tennis balls. Players will be responsible for handling their own towels and refreshments.
The tournament will be conducted without fans and media. It is currently the largest-scale tennis event to be confirmed since the sport went on hiatus to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Credit One Bank Invitational is part of Tennis Channel’s Re(Open) Tour, a series of events and exhibitions taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FOUR-TIME GRAND SLAM SINGLES CHAMPION AND FORMER WORLD NO. 1 KIM CLIJSTERS TO PLAY THE VOLVO CAR OPEN FOR THE FIRST TIME
Clijsters retired from professional tennis after the 2012 US Open and will make her comeback in 2020
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Former World No. 1 Kim Clijsters will compete in the 2020 Volvo Car Open, April 4 – 12 on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC. The 2020 tournament will mark her Volvo Car Open debut. Clijsters is a four-time Grand Slam singles champion and a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion. She retired from tennis in 2012 and will be making her comeback next season. She joins fellow Grand Slam champions Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens and Garbiñe Muguruza in the 2020 Volvo Car Open player field.
With the entry of Simona Halep and Kim Clijsters in the 2020 Volvo Car Open field, every Grand Slam champion since the tournament moved to Charleston in 2001 has played Charleston.
Clijsters With Cincy Cup
“It’s hard to believe that I’ve never played in Charleston,” said Clijsters. “I’m excited to visit the city and get to play the famous green courts. I can’t wait to see everyone courtside in April!”
The 36-year-old Belgian is returning to tennis because of the love of the game. She holds 41 career WTA titles – the third highest total among active players, behind Serena Williams (72 titles) and Venus Williams (49 titles).
Clijsters made her tennis debut in 1997 and rose to prominence in 1999 when she reached the fourth round of Wimbledon as a qualifier in her first Grand Slam at just 16 years old. She reached her first Grand Slam final at the 2001 French Open and went on to become World No. 1 in 2003. She captured her first Grand Slam title in 2005 at the US Open.
Clijsters retired from tennis in 2007 to start a family, but returned to the sport in 2009. She won the 2009 and 2010 US Open titles and the 2011 Australian Open title. With her Australian Open win, she once again became the World No. 1 player, for the first time since 2006.
“Kim entering Charleston for the first time brings our prestigious and historic roster of players full circle,” said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. “As a member of the Tennis Hall of Fame, an Olympian, a wife and mother of three, welcoming Kim to the Volvo Car Open is incredibly special. A beautiful mover with very clean and precise strokes, Kim is a joy to watch on court… what a gift to our fans!”
“My biggest motivator has been the personal challenge involved – both physically and mentally, I want to test myself again,” said Clijsters. “With so many inspirational athletes and moms competing, I can’t wait to get back on the match court and see what’s possible after having three children.”
The Volvo Car Open will celebrate its 20th year in Charleston in 2020. The tournament relocated to Charleston from Hilton Head Island, where it was held from 1973 – 2000.
The nine-day Volvo Car Open is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America. The event attracts an average of 90,000 attendees and more than 100 of the top singles and doubles tennis players to Charleston every year.
Patrons have the option to choose from individual tickets, ticket packages and travel packages. Ticket prices range from $25 for an individual session to $540 for an all-inclusive weeklong package with complimentary access into a private hospitality suite. The Volvo Car Open also offers packages that include premium seats, ticket savings and membership into the tournament’s Ace Club.
For more information on the tournament and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.
WORLD NO. 12 AMERICAN PHENOM SOFIA KENIN BOOKED FOR 2020 VOLVO CAR OPEN
Kenin has won three singles titles and two doubles titles during the 2019 season
DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – World No. 12 Sofia Kenin has entered the player field for the 2020 Volvo Car Open, happening April 4 – 12 on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC. The 20-year-old American will be joined in Charleston by reigning Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, 2019 Volvo Car Open champion Madison Keys and two-time Grand Slam champion Garbiñe Muguruza, among other top WTA tennis players.
Kenin has found significant success during her 2019 season, winning her first ever career WTA singles and WTA doubles titles. In total, she captured singles titles in Hobart, Mallorca and Guangzhou. She also won the doubles titles in Auckland and Beijing.
“Sofia climbed the junior rankings and has now solidified herself as a true contender and top player in the tennis world,” said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. “Our fans have the opportunity to cheer on the future generation of tennis, and Sofia’s fourth appearance in our field solidifies our commitment to always finding and attracting rising stars.”
Outside of Kenin’s titles this season, she also appeared in the finals in Acapulco and the semifinals in Toronto and Cincinnati. She defeated Ashleigh Barty in Toronto and Naomi Osaka in Cincinnati, both of whom were ranked World No. 1 at the time. Additionally, she defeated Serena Williams in the third round of the French Open to reach her best Grand Slam result to date.
Sofia Kenin 2017 (TennisAtlantic.com)
As a result of her success this season, Kenin qualified for the 2019 Hengqin Life WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.
“I have had a really amazing season and will be looking to build upon it in 2020,” said Kenin. “I have always enjoyed my time in Charleston at the Volvo Car Open and am hoping to go even further in the tournament next year.”
The 2020 Volvo Car Open will be Kenin’s fourth time competing in the tournament’s main draw.
The Volvo Car Open will celebrate its 20th year in Charleston in 2020. The tournament relocated to Charleston from Hilton Head Island, where it was held from 1973 – 2000.
The nine-day Volvo Car Open is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America. The event attracts an average of 90,000 attendees and more than 100 of the top singles and doubles tennis players to Charleston every year.
Patrons have the option to choose from individual tickets, ticket packages and travel packages. Ticket prices range from $25 for an individual session to $540 for an all-inclusive weeklong package with complimentary access into a private hospitality suite. The Volvo Car Open also offers packages that include premium seats, ticket savings and membership into the tournament’s Ace Club.
For more information on the tournament and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.
Simona Halep, Citi Open 2017 (Photo: Tennis Atlantic)
SIMONA HALEP TO MAKE VOLVO CAR OPEN DEBUT IN 2020
The two-time Grand Slam winner has been ranked within the WTA’s top 10 for six consecutive seasons
DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – Reigning Wimbledon champion and Former World No. 1 Simona Halep will make her Volvo Car Open debut in 2020. The 27-year-old Romanian has been ranked within the WTA’s top 10 for the past six years.
The Volvo Car Open will take place April 4 – 12 on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC. Halep joins Belinda Bencic, Amanda Anisimova, Garbiñe Muguruza and defending champion Madison Keys in the growing player field.
“I am so looking forward to playing in Charleston for the first time in my career,” said Halep. “I have heard so many great things about it and am so pleased to have it on my calendar for 2020. I know the players always say they feel at home there, so I can’t wait to visit the city and make my debut on the green clay.”
Halep has won 19 WTA tournaments in her career, including winning the 2019 Wimbledon title and 2018 French Open title. In addition to capturing her second Grand Slam title in 2019, she was a finalist in Doha and Madrid, a semifinalist in Miami and a quarterfinalist in Dubai, Paris, Eastbourne and Toronto.
Simona Halep
“Simona competing in the Volvo Car Open for the first time means so much to us,” said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. “We will be celebrating our 20th year in Charleston and to finally have Simona join our storied roster of players… the timing couldn’t be better! Twice voted a WTA Fan Favorite, Simona has an aggressive, precise style of play; she’s powerful and fast. I am certain our fans will embrace her. Simona has been worth the wait!
Halep was also the 2018 Australian Open finalist and 2017 French Open finalist.
The Volvo Car Open will celebrate its 20th year in Charleston in 2020. The tournament relocated to Charleston from Hilton Head Island, where it was held from 1973 – 2000.
The nine-day Volvo Car Open is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America. The event attracts an average of 90,000 attendees and more than 100 of the top singles and doubles tennis players to Charleston every year.
Patrons have the option to choose from individual tickets, ticket packages and travel packages. Ticket prices range from $25 for an individual session to $540 for an all-inclusive weeklong package with complimentary access into a private hospitality suite. The Volvo Car Open also offers packages that include premium seats, ticket savings and membership into the tournament’s Ace Club.
For more information on the tournament and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.
About the Volvo Car Open:
The Volvo Car Open is North America’s largest women’s-only tennis tournament. The event, formerly known as the Family Circle Cup, moved to Charleston, S.C., in 2001 from Hilton Head Island, S.C., and will celebrate its 48th tournament in 2020. The Volvo Car Open welcomes more than 90,000 spectators each year. The tournament features a singles draw of 56 players, a qualifying draw of 32 players and a doubles draw of 16 players. In conjunction with Tennis Channel and WTA Media, the Volvo Car Open is showcased from the first ball struck in main draw competition to the last ball played in finals, throughout the U.S. and 174 international partners. The tournament receives more than 100 hours of tennis coverage; live from Charleston, broadcast across the globe to millions of fans. The tournament is operated by Charleston Tennis, LLC. For more information on the Volvo Car Open, visit http://www.VolvoCarOpen.com, call (843) 856-7900, email info@volvocaropen.com, Facebook (Volvo Car Open), Twitter (@VolvoCarOpen) or Instagram (VolvoCarOpen).
VOLVO CAR OPEN CHAMPION MADISON KEYS RETURNS TO CHARLESTON
Keys has reached the quarterfinals or better in five of the last eight Grand Slam tournaments
CHARLESTON, S.C. – After winning the 2019 Volvo Car Open in April, Madison Keys has committed to defending her title in 2020. Next year’s event will be Keys’ eighth consecutive Charleston tournament. The 2020 Volvo Car Open will take place April 4 – 12 on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC.
“Madison’s win in Charleston this year was something our fans have been rooting for since she started competing in the Volvo Car Open in 2013,” said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. “Her personality shines when she plays and our fans have loved watching her grow up on our courts. We’re ecstatic that she’ll be back in 2020 to defend her well-deserved title.”
Keys holds a 16-6 record in Charleston, where she captured the title in 2019, reached the semifinals in 2018 and was a finalist in 2015.
Her 2019 season also includes a quarterfinal appearance at the French Open and fourth round berth at the Australian Open. In addition, she was a member of the US Fed Cup team. The 24-year-old has remained in the WTA’s top 20 for the past five seasons.
“Winning the Volvo Car Open after coming so close in the past was the most amazing feeling,” said Keys. “Charleston has always been one of my favorite tournaments and being able to win the title was such a special moment. I’m excited to come back next year to play in front of the best fans around.”
Keys was awarded a key to the City of Charleston by Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg during the singles final trophy presentation. The Volvo Car Open also honored her with the 2019 Player Who Makes A Difference award for her work with the anti-bullying nonprofit, Fearlessly Girl.
The Volvo Car Open will celebrate its 20th year in Charleston in 2020. The tournament relocated to Charleston from Hilton Head Island, where it was held from 1973 – 2000.
The nine-day Volvo Car Open is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America. The event attracts an average of 90,000 attendees and more than 100 of the top singles and doubles tennis players to Charleston every year.
Patrons have the option to choose from individual tickets, ticket packages and travel packages. Ticket prices range from $25 for an individual session to $540 for an all-inclusive weeklong package with complimentary access into a private hospitality suite. The Volvo Car Open also offers packages that include premium seats, ticket savings and membership into the tournament’s Ace Club.
Tickets for the 2020 Volvo Car Open will go on sale on Monday, September 9.
For more information on the tournament and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.
Tennis Atlantic 