Family Circle Cup - Women's Tennis Tournament Boasting many top-notch events throughout the year that are jewels in her crown, perhaps Charleston's most star-studded event is the Women's Tennis Tournament. Charleston, SC will host the 38th consecutive WTA affiliated Women's Tennis Tournament at the Family Circle Tennis Center where it has been held for the last ten years on Daniels Island. Always entertaining, the event, beginning on April 10 and runs through April 18th, 2010, promises to be a most exciting competition this year with at least four current top-ten players already committed to join the singles competition including star names like Serena Williams (#1), Caroline Wozniacki (#4), Victoria Azarenka (#7) and Vera Zvonareva (#9) as well as up and comer Melanie Oudin in addition to a roster of other big names and past champions including Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Steffi Graf and the list goes on.
The match events will begin with qualifying rounds, which will take place on Saturday and Sunday April 10th & 11th and progress with first round matches on Monday the 12th and Tuesday the 13th. Second round matches begin on Tuesday evening and through Wednesday the 14th. Third rounds begin Wednesday night and into Thursday the 15th. Things will heat up for the quarterfinals on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon the semifinal round will be played to determine who will compete in the finals held on Sunday, April 18th.
Tickets are available for single events ranging from $15.00 - $55.00 depending on seat location, or in packages from a few events to the full week of matches and additional entertainment (see website for package prices). Separately ticketed events are planned throughout the week such as the "Winning in Doubles" luncheon held on Tuesday, April 15th from 11:00am to 12:30pm, which will be held in the Care Hospitality Suite. This event brings ticket holders together with big names in tennis for a buffet luncheon and a presentation on doubles strategy followed by a Q&A and autograph session. On Saturday, April 17th the "Mixed Doubles" match will be held, featuring John McEnroe, Anna Kournikova, Jim Courtier and one other player, TBA. This event will be followed with a concert by The Blue Dogs, a bluegrass band with its roots in South Carolina that has gained momentum through touring the country and notoriety on rock radio stations with the single "Isabelle" from their sophomore CD, "Letters from Round O".
The Family Circle Tennis Center offers various ticket price discounts for seniors, 65+, children under 12, military personnel and to United States Tennis Association members for certain events. Group discounts for grandstand seating as well. If ticket purchase is not in the budget this year or your schedule will not allow time to watch the tournament in person, ESPN will cover the last 3rd round match on Thursday, the quarterfinal on Friday, semi-finals on Saturday and of course the championship match on Sunday; coverage beginning each day at 1:00pm.
This event draws tennis fans from around the world to witness these colossal players coming together to sweat out the women's tennis championship. With the thrill of the game and the drama of the players coupled with the additional entertainment engagements all coming together in one place for a little more than one week, right here in our midst, it would be the definition of crazy to be right in the thick of the excitement that people travel from all corners of the world to see and to let it pass without having a look!
Visit our Events Calendar for all area events. |
