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The @VolvoCarOpen Announces New Title Sponsor @CreditOneBank in Charleston

Posted by Admin on July 21, 2021
Posted in: Charleston. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment
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.

—A. Alpino

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Kudermetova, Kovinic Look For Big Hardware Today in Unlikely @VolvoCarOpen Final Matchup

Posted by Admin on April 11, 2021
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Photo Credit: Chris Simon, Volvo Car Open

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.

Semifinals Saturday Arrives at @VolvoCarOpen with A Surprising Field

Posted by Admin on April 10, 2021
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 Comment
Paula Badosa (Chris Smith for Volvo Car Open

Semifinals Saturday Arrives at Volvo Car Open with A Surprising Field

In 10 years of covering the WTA Charleston event, I haven’t seen so many upsets over the course of a week. Gone are the days when Serena Williams would come through and pencil in a spot in the final. Even World #1 Ashleigh Barty couldn’t take advantage of the gaping holes in the field as she fell to Paula Badosa yesterday, 6-3, 6-3. A resurgent Sloane Stephens sputtered against Victoria Kudermetova, 6-3, 6-4. After beating #3 seed Petra Kvitova the day before, Danka Kovinic found a way to advance against the plucky and lucky Yulia Putintseva, 6-7(2), 7-5, 6-1. Ons Jabeur (#12) was the highest-seeded player left in the tournament before stunning a sluggish Coco Gauff, 6-3, 6-3.

Danka Kovinic (Credit: Chris Simon, Volvo Car Open)

That sets up four players who have never won a WTA tour level title and yet are this close to taking home the most impressive trophies of their collective careers. If you looked at this field before the tournament began, you’d have plenty of educated guesses on who would hoist the hardware, from Kvitova, Barty, Stephens, Kenin, Muguruza, Keys, Bencic, Mertens or Bertens. But no.

(Credit: Chris Simon, Volvo Car Open)

Instead, you’ve got a semifinal field that could pose for a couple of Charleston qualifying finals just a few years back. Still, you’ve got to believe that Ons Jabeur’s experience and momentum will propel her to a berth in the final when she steps on court against Danka Kovinic later today. She’s a deserved -239 favorite, and even though the unimaginable has already happened this week, the green clay dust of uncertainty will certainly settle today.

The match between Badosa and Kudermetova is a little more unpredictable.

Victoria Kudermetova, (Credit: Chris Simon, Volvo Car Open)

Although the Russian owns a 2-0 head to head against Badosa, the lower-ranked Spaniard has beaten the better players this week and is the tournament’s leader in aces with 24. It’s also Kudermetova’s first semifinal on clay. I’m going with Badosa, a +110 underdog in this match.

The parlay: Jabeur (-239) & Badosa (+110) for a +197 payout

Former World #1 and Current Supermom Kim Clijsters Joins @VolvoCarOpen Field in April for First Time

Posted by Admin on December 23, 2019
Posted in: ATP, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment
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

clijsters supermom

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 cincy

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).

kim_clijsters

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.

—A. Alpino, Volvo Car Open

Qualifiers Start Talking After Winning Into Main Draw @VolvoCarOpen Today

Posted by Admin on March 31, 2019
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Althea Gibson Clubcourt, 2019 VCO (TennisAtlantic.com)

Qualifiers Start Talking After Winning Into Main Draw at Volvo Car Open Today
Steve Fogleman in Charleston

Last night, there were 8 seats up for grabs at the Volvo Car Open Main Draw at the Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island, South Carolina. By 9:00 a.m., they were down to 7 as American Lauren Davis won on a walkover due to a Varvara Flink injury. Little did the fans know that Davis would be the only American main draw pickup of the day. The last match between Kayla Day and Francesca DiLorenzo ensured that there would be at least one American. So for Davis and DiLorenzo, it’s on to the big dance. And as for the other six lucky qualifiers…

Destanee Aiava, 2019 VCO (TennisAtlantic.com)

Destanee Aiava— The Australian has played Brisbane before, but this is her first American premier-level event. “It’s still sinking in,” she told me right after the 6-3, 6-1 victory over Tereza Martincova. “I’ve worked so hard the last couple of months and I’m just to happy to start playing well and qualify for my first Charleston Volvo Car Open. It’s good to be here. It’s my type of weather, not too hot, not too cold, so I’m enjoying it.” When I told her it could be cold and rainy during the first round, she replied, “That’s my favorite weather!” Draws: Belinda BencicMagdalena Frech, 2019 VCO (TennisAtlantic.com)

Magdalena Frech–On the green: “I think it’s amazing. It’s just here in USA so there’s no clay in Europe like this.” She knocked out Conny Perrin 6-4, 6-1 to advance. Although she’s played in the main draw in Melbourne and Roland Garros before, this will be a first American premier tournament for the Pole as well. Draws: Mizhaela Buzarnescu

Nadiia Kichenok, 2019 VCO (TennisAtlantic.com)

Nadiia Kichenok–In her return to singles after establishing herself as a doubles champion with her sister, Lyudmyla (who lost in the first round of qualifying yesterday), the Ukranian faced a hostile crowd today. She beat American Carolyn Dolehide, 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(10) in just under three hours on a packed Althea Gibson court as Dolehide stormed back. “I was having fun in the tiebreak, oh yeah,” she said sarcastically.  “It was so many emotions and thoughts in the head but I am so happy I made it through.” About that  partisan crowd, “It actually pushes me forward,” she said. “By cheering against me, I don’t mind. I like the ambiance because it’s so much fun to play in a great atmosphere. Draws: Fellow Qualifier Martina Trevisan

Martina Trevisan, 2019 VCO (TennisAtlantic.com)

Martina Trevisan–“I also yesterday played very well,” she said. “I like so much this surface. I stay very good here and I like it so much right here.” Having beaten Karatantcheva today and at the 2018 US Open main draw, she says she feels more confident at this time and on this surface than she did in New York.

“I feel better even better than (coming into the) US Open, of course.”  Draws: Fellow Qualifier Nadiia Kichenok

Kateryna Kozlova, 2019 VCO (TennisAtlantic.com)

Kateryna Kozlova–“I haven’t played on the green clay since 13, 14 years old, I think?” she told me after the straight sets win over Nicole Melichar. “I was always playing on the red clay, so in the beginning it was kind of weird. It’s not big different but still different movements. You can slide but less than the (red) clay, so I had to get used to it. It helped a lot that I came here one week before qualies right after Miami so I think I get used to conditions really good.”

On the colder weather forecast for the first round: “This can be a problem. I don’t think it’s good for anyone because it’s completely different conditions than now. Now it’s warm and the bounce is higher and that ball flies more and if it’s going to be bad if it’s complete opposite, but we are all in the same conditions, so let’s see who is more able to get used to those conditions.”   Draws: Kristyna Pliskova

Astra Sharma--Since I was stuck in that long third set tiebreak on Althea Gibson with Dolehide and Kichenok (not complaining), I was unable to catch up with Sharma after her three set win over Aoyama.

Draws: Taylor Townsend

RESULTS – MARCH 31, 2019

Women’s
Qualifying Singles – Second Round
Qualifying – [1] K. Kozlova (UKR) d N. Melichar (USA) 61 63
Qualifying – [2] A. Sharma (AUS) d S. Aoyama (JPN) 64 36 61
Qualifying – [9] M. Frech (POL) d [3] C. Perrin (SUI) 64 61
Qualifying – [12] L. Davis (USA) d [4] V. Flink (RUS) walkover
Qualifying – [16] D. Aiava (AUS) d [5] T. Martincova (CZE) 63 61
Qualifying – N. Kichenok (UKR) d [6] C. Dolehide (USA) 76(3) 46 76(10)
Qualifying – [8] M. Trevisan (ITA) d [15] S. Karatantcheva (BUL) 62 63
Qualifying – [10] F. di Lorenzo (USA) d K. Day (USA) 64 64

ORDER OF PLAY – MONDAY, APRIL 01, 2019
VOLVO CAR STADIUM start 10:00 am
[WC] S. Lisicki (GER) vs [13] S. Kenin (USA)
[10] J. Ostapenko (LAT) vs J. Larsson (SWE)
[Q] D. Aiava (AUS) vs [9] B. Bencic (SUI) 
[WC] S. Rogers (USA) vs E. Rodina (RUS)

ALTHEA GIBSON CLUB COURT start 10:00 am
J. Pegula (USA) vs I. Khromacheva (RUS)
S. Errani (ITA) vs M. Puig (PUR)
M. Linette (POL) vs [14] A. Tomljanovic (AUS)
[Q] A. Sharma (AUS) vs T. Townsend (USA)

COURT 3 start 10:00 am
S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) vs F. Stollar (HUN)
N. Vikhlyantseva (RUS) vs T. Maria (GER)
P. Parmentier (FRA) vs A. Kiick (USA)
[Q] F. di Lorenzo (USA) vs A. Bolsova Zadoinov (ESP)

COURT 4 start 10:00 am
[PS] A. Friedsam (GER) vs T. Zidansek (SLO)
M. Minella (LUX) vs A. Schmiedlova (SVK)
[Q] M. Trevisan (ITA) vs [Q] N. Kichenok (UKR) 
A. Friedsam (GER) / S. Sorribes Tormo (ESP) vs I. Bara (ROU) / M. Buzarnescu (ROU)

Qualifying Sunday Underway With 8 Main Draw Spots on Line @VolvoCarOpen

Posted by Admin on March 31, 2019
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

IMG_1911

Qualifying Sunday Underway With 8 Main Draw Spots on Line at Volvo Car Open
Steve Fogleman in Charleston

The carnival rides from the South Carolina State Fair were in full motion as I pulled up to the Volvo Car Open for opening round qualifying yesterday on Daniel Island, South Carolina. It’s a fitting metaphor for this place, which gets far less attention than the “Tennis Garden”.  The grounds, like the clay courts themselves, are expertly manicured. At the East Coast’s last women-only tour level tennis event, there’s a carnival atmosphere, an almost Disney-like feeling here with an overwhelming amount of choices for a fan.

Madison Keys, Jelena Ostapenko, Shelby Rogers and Belinda Bencic hosted hundreds of fans sitting in on their practices on Stadium court, while thousands packed Althea Gibson court and outer courts to watch sixteen qualifying matches.

Lauren Davis, 2019 Volvo Car Open (TennisAtlantic.com)

If you were an American and your last name began with a D, you won yesterday. Lauren Davis started the D run with a 7-6(2), 6-0 breezer over Lyudmyla Kichenok on Gibson. And just like that, she’s already qualified this morning in a walkover of Varvara Flink.

Francesca DiLorenzo, 2019 Volvo Car Open (TennisAtlantic.com)

Francesca DiLorenzo, a 2019 Charleston qualifier, prevailed against Volvo Car Open pre-qualifier Jessica Ho, 6-3, 6-3. After the match, DiLo told me “I love the clay. I’ve been practicing on it for a couple of weeks now and getting used to it again, but I really like it.” On her opponent, Jessica Ho, she said “I thinks she played really well today. She gets a lot of balls back and I knew it was going to be a grind of a match. She’s such a tough player and she fights for every ball. I just tried to stay patient, look for opportunities and go for it when I had the chance.”

For DiLorenzo, a chance to be in Charleston is not one to miss.

“I really like the environment. I just like Charleston in general. Last year, I qualied here so that’s cool for me. I enjoy the clay and I enjoy the city so that always helps.”

Caroline Dolehide, 2019 Volvo Car Open (TennisAtlantic.com)

Caroline Dolehide advanced to a qualifying final with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Lidziya Marozava and faces Nadiia Kichenok of Ukraine for a spot in the main draw.

Kayla Day needed three sets to upset Bibiane Schoofs, 7-5, 6-7(1), 6-3 to set up an All-American matchup today with DiLorenzo.  “I got a wild card in to the main draw (last year) and I remember I lost in three sets on this court, so it feels really good to win today,” Day told me. “Every single match I’ve played here has gone three sets so I’m always prepared for a fight here.” She opined that “for first round of qualies, the support was amazing. Not many WTA tournaments you go to have this kind of atmosphere in the first round of qualies. This felt like a final. It was great.”

Kayla Day, 2019 Volvo Car Open (TennisAtlantic.com)

And though, with not a D in her name, Nicole Melichar survived Silvia Soler-Espinosa in three, 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-3 to take on top qualifying seed Kateryna Kozlova for a main draw berth.

It should be a short day with seven matches lined up and a threat of showers in the later afternoon before a major climate change moves through. The temperature is predicted to drop 30 degrees in the next 24 hours, so expect a slow-moving ball on Monday when main draw play begins.

A-Listers @AshBar96, @SabalenkaA, Anastasija Sevastova Added to All-Star Field @VolvoCarOpen

Posted by Admin on February 20, 2019
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 Connecticut Open, (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

Aryna Sabalenka, 2018 Connecticut Open, (Photo: Mike Renz for Tennis Atlantic)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Volvo Car Open has added three top 15 players to its 2019 field – Aryna Sabalenka, Anastasija Sevastova and Ashleigh Barty. They join a strong international player field featuring Sloane Stephens, Caroline Wozniacki, Kiki Bertens, Madison Keys, Julia Goerges, Elise Mertens, Danielle Collins and Jelena Ostapenko. The 2019 tournament is scheduled for March 30 – April 7 on Daniel Island in Charleston, South Carolina.

Embed from Getty Images

“We are ecstatic to announce that Aryna, Anastasija and Ash have entered the Volvo Car Open,” said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. “Ash is one of the most well-rounded players on the tour, Anastasija is a returning VCO semifinalist and Aryna is making her Charleston debut!”

World No. 9 Sabalenka will compete in the Volvo Car Open for the first time in 2019. The 20-year-old has had a strong start to her season, winning the title in Shenzhen and reaching the semifinals in St. Petersburg. The Belarusian also won two titles in 2018, in Wuhan and New Haven, reached the finals in Eastbourne and Lugano and the semifinals in Cincinnati.

Ranked World No. 11, Sevastova recently made the fourth round of the Australian Open and the quarterfinals in Brisbane. She won the title in Bucharest last season and reached the finals in Beijing and Mallorca. She was a semifinalist at the 2018 US Open, as well as in Moscow, Charleston and Brisbane. The 2019 Volvo Car Open will be the Latvian’s sixth time competing in Charleston, where she also reached the quarterfinals in 2017.

Barty is ranked World No. 12 in singles and World No. 6 in doubles. Already in 2019 she made a splash in her home country of Australia, when she reached the finals in Sydney and the quarterfinals in Melbourne at the Australian Open. Last season she won the title in Zhuhai and Nottingham and reached the semifinals in Wuhan, Montreal and Strasbourg as well as the final in Sydney.

Embed from Getty Images

Earlier this month, all three players helped their respective countries win the Fed Cup World Group first round to reach the semifinals.

The nine day Volvo Car Open is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America and attracts an average of 90,000 attendees and more than 100 of the top singles and doubles tennis players.

—A. Alpino, VCO

Win Your Way Into @VolvoCarOpen Qualifying With @MyUTR Tournament

Posted by Admin on January 10, 2019
Posted in: ATP, Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment
VOLVO CAR OPEN PARTNERS WITH UNIVERSAL TENNIS FOR QUALIFYING WILD CARD TOURNAMENT

Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

The winner of the event will receive entry into the WTA Premier event’s qualifying field

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – The Volvo Car Open announced today that it has partnered with Universal Tennis on a qualifying wild card tournament, with the winner receiving entry into the WTA Premier event’s qualifying player field.

The tournament, hosted February 28 – March 3, 2019 at the Family Circle Tennis Center, will include a 32-player draw. Players will be seeded based on their Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) Powered by Oracle. This unique event will provide the opportunity for any female tennis player with a UTR of 11+ to compete for a spot in the professional tennis tournament.

UTR Powered by Oracle is the only global tennis rating system that compares all players, regardless of age, gender, or geography across a single, unified scale. The system is growing quickly worldwide and is being adopted by players, coaches, academies, colleges, clubs and organizers as the most reliable way to measure tennis skill level. The MyUTR engagement platform features a fully integrated event and tournament management system, where tennis events are organized around player UTRs to facilitate competitive, level-based play.

Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)

Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)

“We look forward to partnering with the Volvo Car Open to create a new opportunity for talented players to play to qualify for the main draw of the tournament,” said Mark Leschly, Universal Tennis Chairman & CEO. “We will also be working closely with the venue to create more compelling year-round opportunities for level-based competition for players of all levels.”

The tournament match play format will consist of two out of three sets, with a match tiebreak for the third.

“We are very excited to create an official partnership with UTR by hosting a wild card event for a spot in our qualifying draw of the 2019 Volvo Car Open,” said Bob Moran, Volvo Car Open Tournament Director. “However, this relationship will go far beyond this event. UTR provides the most accurate and real-time assessment of a player’s ability. It cuts through gender and age to provide a vehicle for men and women to player together and juniors to play with adults based on their UTR rating. We, as a year-round venue, find great value in being able to create and cultivate an even more close-knit community of tennis players. UTR will truly provide a standard for all players!”

The nine-day Volvo Car Open is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America and attracts an average of 90,000 attendees and more than 100 of the top singles and doubles tennis players. Its 2019 field features seven of the top 25 players in the world, including Caroline Wozniacki, Sloane Stephens and Kiki Bertens.

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.

The Ace Club is a program for package holders that provides unparalleled amenities and benefits during the tournament, including private bag storage, invitations to the “Selection Party”, a tournament poster, incentive membership cards and much more. In addition, members have the option to opt-in for Ace Lounge access, an exclusive hospitality location providing first-class amenities like live entertainment, air-conditioning, elevated food options and more.

For more information on the tournament and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or call 800.677.2293. To sign up for, visit the event page on UTR here.

—A. Alpino, Volvo Car Open

Top Tenner @KikiBertens Signs With @FilaTennis

Posted by Admin on January 2, 2019
Posted in: Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

2019 BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL Kiki Bertens (NED)

FILA Signs Sponsorship Agreement with WTA Top Ten Ranked Player Kiki Bertens

January 2, 2019–FILA announced today that it has signed a sponsorship agreement with Kiki Bertens, the WTA No. 9 ranked singles player in the world. Bertens, who just capped off her best professional season to date, will join the company’s roster of endorsed WTA and ATP World Tour players who wear the FILA® brand on-court.

The 27-year-old Dutch star owns seven career WTA singles titles and ten doubles titles – four of which came in 2018. After capturing the doubles title at Brisbane in January, she won three singles titles at Charleston, Cincinnati and Seoul before qualifying for the WTA Finals, where she reached the semifinals and achieved her career-high ranking of World No. 9.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to represent FILA both on and off the court,” said Bertens. “FILA has a long history of sponsoring the best tennis players in the world and it is such an honor to be a part of that family.”

Kiki Bertens (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Kiki Bertens (Photo: Tony Callaio)

“We believe that Kiki Bertens is on the rise, has tremendous potential, and is a great fit for FILA,” said Gene Yoon, Global Chairman at FILA. “She consistently won against some of the best players in the world this past year, and was extremely competitive every time she stepped on court. We look forward to supporting her and helping her to achieve more career-defining results.”

New Local Ownership of @VolvoCarOpen Good for Tournament, Good for Southern Tennis Fans

Posted by Admin on September 19, 2018
Posted in: Charleston, Volvo Car Open, WTA. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

Daria Kasatkina, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio)

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. – Ben Navarro, the CEO of Charleston-based Sherman Financial Group and the founder of education non-profit Meeting Street Schools, has acquired the sanction of the WTA Volvo Car Open along with the operations of the Family Circle Tennis Center and Volvo Car Stadium. With this change, Charleston Tennis LLC will now become a locally-owned and operated organization.

“I look forward to building on the current tournament tradition that is already 47 years in the making with the Volvo Car Open,” said Navarro. “Bob Moran and his team have created a tennis legacy in Charleston with the event and its facilities. Our goal is to continue to grow the tournament’s impact, promote junior tennis in Charleston, and make the sport more accessible for all. Personally, Charleston Tennis LLC’s mission of giving back and making a positive influence on our community align with my family’s values and beliefs.”

“I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Ben over the last year through his commitment to growing tennis here in Charleston. His club LTP Tennis has hosted numerous ITF and junior tournaments culminating with the US Girls Clay Court National Championship, held this past July,” said Bob Moran, President of Charleston Tennis LLC. “I’m blown away with not only Ben’s commitment to tennis, but his love for this community. His work with Meeting Street Schools is truly inspiring. Our team is excited to get started building towards the 2019 Volvo Car Open and working with Ben and his team to create an even bigger and better experience for our players, fans and partners. With this commitment and investment to build world-class experiences by our new owner, and the support of our title sponsor, Volvo Car USA, we will continue to remain a vibrant part of the Charleston community for years to come.”

Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)

Shelby Rogers, 2017 Volvo Car Open (Photo: Tony Callaio, Tennis Atlantic)

The Volvo Car Open is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America. The international event attracts players and fans from across the globe and reaches more than 20 million fans worldwide via The Tennis Channel and international broadcast partners. The Family Circle Tennis Center is a public tennis facility with 20 championship courts and a 10,200-seat stadium. The center is a year-round facility with daily adult and junior tennis programing, including an on-site, full-time tennis academy. In addition, the stadium hosts an annual concert series and a broad range of programs and events.

The Volvo Car Open contributes a direct impact of 30 million dollars into the local economy each year through visitors, hotels, restaurants, travel and tourism. Indirectly, the tournament generates billions of impressions through its international broadcast, press coverage and ad campaign, all collectively promoting the Lowcountry domestically and abroad. The tournament is responsible for housing all players, officials, out-of-town staff and domestic and international TV production crews. More than 2,500 room nights the week of the Volvo Car Open are booked for staffing alone. This does not account for the tournament’s average of 90,000 attendees, in which 50 percent are from out of town and who will shop, dine and take in attractions while attending the event.

Steve Simon, WTA CEO and Chairman stated, “Rooted in the WTA’s rich history as one of the very first tournaments in 1973, it is a pleasure to see both the tradition and growth of this event continue. We are delighted to welcome Ben’s ownership to the Volvo Car Open and look forward to the positive impact this will have on the continued success of one of the premier women’s tennis events in the world.”

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; live from Charleston, broadcast across the globe to millions of fans.

Navarro is also the owner of LTP Tennis Club in Mount Pleasant, S.C. He and his wife are avid tennis fans and their four children play the sport.

“The opportunity to partner with someone so passionate about tennis and our community is a perfect fit,” said Moran.

The 2019 Volvo Car Open will take place March 30 – April 7. The tournament will continue to be operated by Charleston Tennis, LLC. Daily procedures and current staff will not be affected by the acquisition.