The Charleston Open celebrates 25 years in the Holy City
On March 29, as the sun soars over the Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island, thousands will congregate at the Credit One Charleston Open to watch the best tennis players in the world. With a legacy that spans Graf to Jabeur, Capriati to Keys, The Open is celebrating an extra-special year. Players and fans are ready to ace North America’s largest, women’s-only tennis tournament.
The Fan
Visor, sunscreen, and Sharpies are packed. Carey Ann Campbell is ready to head to the coast and The Open. “It’s just my favorite event,” the scrappy tennis player and avid fan reveals. “I’ve been to all the majors, and Indian Wells. The Open has an electric atmosphere that you can’t recreate and it gets better and better every year.”
With a double-handed forehand and backhand, Campbell is a force in local USTA leagues, playing for Greenville Country Club and The Kroc Tennis Center. To get up close and personal with the best players in the world? It’s her dream. “You have this opportunity to interact with them that you don’t get at any other tournament,” she explains. “I’ll never forget the first year we went with my five-year-old daughter. Serena Williams was playing and signed her ball. She still talks about it to this day.”
As CEO of Southern Tide, The Open’s official style sponsor, Campbell finds herself courtside every day. But the event is something she’s patronized for two decades, long before her current job lobbed up a concrete reason to attend. “We lived on the coast for several years and I still have my personal seats from the old box prior to stadium renovation,” she says. “I’ll never let those go. I love how the tournament supports women. It’s fun to socialize. I always meet wonderful people from all over the world. It’s the best week of the year. It’s an experience like no other.”
The Pro
Bob Moran scurries about the Daniel Island complex as fast as Jessica Pegula chases down a drop shot. He’s been with The Open for 26 years; this is his 15th as director. “It’s not so much what’s new,” he says, “but what we keep refining. We keep refining the on-site experience, whether that’s food and beverage, the new merchandise tent, entertainment, the people we bring in to interact with fans.”
Just under 100,000, many from the Upstate, will rush the tournament across its nine-day stand. Unlike in most sporting events that wrap after several hours, Open ticket holders tend to spend all day, or all night, at the tourney. The 2022 stadium renovation brought new restaurants and amenities for fans and players alike. “It’s world class,” shares Moran. “It’s a game-changer for us. Not only do we get to support women’s tennis, but the space is a fantastic music venue for all to enjoy the rest of the year.”
The Open’s been supporting female athletes since the ink was still drying on Title IX. This year, more than $1 million in prize money will be awarded. “We’re committed to promoting the value of women,” Moran says. “Our goal is for equal prize money [as men] by 2033. We’re also committed to Charleston. We have a long-term lease and we’re not going anywhere.” Game, set, match.
For more on the tournament, which runs March 29–April 6, visit CreditOneCharlestonOpen.com.
Charleston Open Tips
Pro Tip #1: Purchase the souvenir cup to receive complimentary water and soda refills all day long.
Pro Tip #2: Visit the practice courts to catch the players in their “every day” routines with coaches, family, and yes, perhaps even their dogs, on the bench.
Pro Tip #3: Save time to hang out on the Grand Lawn and explore all of the activities that surround it.
Charleston Open History
1973: Rosie Casals receives $30,000 in the inaugural Family Circle Cup in Hilton Head. It’s the first women’s event to be broadcast on network television and the largest money prize awarded to a female player that year. Casals buys a Mercedes convertible, which she still owns today.
1974–78: Chris Evert wins the first four of her eight titles, the most of any competitor. Her last title was in 1985.
2001: After 28 years in Hilton Head, Family Circle magazine partners with the city and moves the tournament to Daniel Island in Charleston.
2008: Serena Williams wins the first of her three Open titles.
2015: In conjunction with Volvo’s first American plant in Berkeley County, South Carolina, the car company becomes title sponsor and renames the tournament the Volvo Car Open.
2021: The tournament is renamed the Credit One Charleston Open.
2022: A renovation increases Credit One Stadium’s capacity to 11,000 seats, 16 suites, a VIP rooftop restaurant, outdoor bar, more bathrooms, and permanent player amenities.
2022–24: Players vote The Open one of three Women’s Tennis Association’s Tournaments of the Year, recognizing top facilities, fans, staff and commitment to the sport.
2025: The Open celebrates 25 years in Charleston.
