CHARLESTON, S.C./WASHINGTON, December 7, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)
The Credit One Charleston Open, North America’s premier women’s-only tennis event, announced Friday that two of its former champions will return to play in the 2025 tournament on Daniel Island in Charleston, S.C., from March 29 to April 6.
World No. 21 Madison Keys of the United States, who won the 2019 Charleston Open title, and 2022 Charleston Open champion Belinda Bencic of Switzerland join a player field that already includes World No. 7 and 2024 US Open finalist Jessica Pegula of the U.S., World No. 8 and 2024 US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro of the U.S., and reigning Mubadala Citi DC Open champion Paula Badosa of Spain.
“We’re always excited when past champions return to our tournament, and 2025 is no exception,” said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment, in a statement. “Madi hasn’t missed a Charleston tournament since 2013, and Belinda has chosen Charleston as one of her first tournaments back on tour after welcoming her daughter this year. Both of them have been to the finals twice and each won our event, so it’s great to have them back to compete in front of our fans. We’re already planning another exceptional tournament and can’t wait to host tennis once again in Charleston.”
Adding another past champ to the field
2019 #CharlestonOpen champ Madison Keys is sliding her way back onto the green clay next spring. This year, Keys secured her eighth career title in Strasbourg. 2025 will mark her 12th time playing in Charleston. pic.twitter.com/c7ugpmBE9g
— Credit One Charleston Open (@CharlestonOpen) December 6, 2024
Keys, an eight-time WTA titlist, has also been a US Open finalist, a two-time Australian Open semifinalist, a Roland-Garros semifinalist, and a two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist. All together, her results include 10 Grand Slam quarterfinal-or-better appearances. In 2024, the 29-year-old American was a finalist in Strasbourg, reached semifinals in Madrid and Eastbourne, and was a quarterfinalist in Rome. She will compete in Charleston for the 12th consecutive year.
Adding to her 2019 title, Keys’s past Charleston tournament results include reaching the 2015 final, the semifinals in 2018 and quarterfinals in 2013 and 2023. She’s 20-10 lifetime on the Daniel Island green clay.
“Charleston has always felt like home to me, and I can’t wait to be back at the Credit One Charleston Open next year,” Keys said in a statement. “It’s a tournament I hold close to my heart … not just because of the results I’ve had there, but because of the amazing atmosphere. The fans, the city, the entire tournament feels like family. I’m excited to return and hopefully add to the special memories I’ve made there.”
Belinda’s coming back to Charleston
The 2022 #CharlestonOpen champion recently made her return to tennis after welcoming a daughter in April. With a gold medal, eight titles and one Grand Slam semifinal appearance at the US Open, she’s ready to reclaim her trophy. pic.twitter.com/pQegtaWCp9
— Credit One Charleston Open (@CharlestonOpen) December 6, 2024
Meanwhile, Bencic, who gave birth to a daughter in March and just recently returned to the WTA Tour, has garnered eight career titles, including an Olympic gold medal for Switzerland at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She’s been ranked as high as World No. 4 in the PIF WTA rankings and was a US Open semifinalist in 2019. The Charleston tournament will mark one of her first WTA Tour events since becoming a mother. It’s in the South Carolina Lowcountry where Bencic reached back-to-back finals in 2022 and 2023 and won the 2022 title. She also was a semifinalist in her tournament debut in 2014 and a quarterfinalist in 2019. She’s 18-6 lifetime in seven Charleston appearances.
“I’m excited to return to the Credit One Charleston Open next year,” Bencic, 27, said in a statement. “It’s a special place for me – winning the title in 2022 and reaching the finals in back-to-back years was an unforgettable experience. After taking time off to welcome my daughter into the world, I feel more motivated than ever to step back onto the court and compete. Charleston is a wonderful city, and the fans there have always been incredible. I can’t wait to share this next chapter with them.”
The Credit One Charleston Open, the annual kickoff of the WTA Tour’s clay-court season, takes place at Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island in Charleston. It was named WTA 500 Tournament of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.
Tickets are currently on sale at creditonecharlestonopen.com.
