CHARLESTON, S.C./WASHINGTON, October 12, 2022 (by Michael Dickens)
Next year’s Credit One Charleston Open, the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America – and a highly-anticipated start to the clay season on the WTA Hologic Tour – will have a champions look and feel to its draw. That’s because the WTA 500 event will welcome back three former champions to Daniel Island from April 1-9, 2023: Belinda Bencic, Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens.
“We had a banner year in 2022. We debuted the beautiful Credit One Stadium and welcomed fans back to our tournament for the first time in three years,” said Bob Moran, Tournament Director of the Credit One Charleston Open and President of Charleston Tennis LLC, in a statement.
“We are already looking ahead to next year’s event and have big plans to continue enhancing the attendee experience to create memorable moments for our guests. Bringing our champions Belinda, Madi and Sloane back to Charleston in April is part of our mission to showcase the world’s best tennis players to the Lowcountry. We have an exciting player field already shaping up for 2023 and we know tennis fans will be excited to watch these players compete.”
She’s back… 👀 Charleston’s reigning champion @BelindaBencic will return to the Lowcountry this April to compete in the 2023 #CharlestonOpen! The Swiss player is currently ranked World No. 15 & holds a 14-5 record on the green clay at @CreditOneStadium. 🏆🎾 pic.twitter.com/LCYJvF42xg
— Credit One Charleston Open (@CharlestonOpen) October 12, 2022
Defending champion Bencic has played the Charleston event six times, where she has compiled an impressive 14-5 record. She captured the 2022 Credit One Charleston Open title with a win over Ons Jabeur, who has since climbed to the World No. 2 ranking. Bencic also reached the semifinals in her tournament debut in 2014. Currently ranked World No. 15, the Swiss player’s 2022 season has included four quarterfinal appearances, semifinal runs in Miami and Tallinn, and she was a finalist at Berlin. Last year, she won the Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games.
“It felt amazing to capture my first clay title in Charleston, especially during the tournament’s 50th year,” said Bencic. “Winning this tournament meant so much to me and I am proud to be included on a list of celebrated former champions. I love this tournament and the city and I am already looking forward to coming back next year.”
World No. 18 Keys, who won the 2019 Charleston title, returns for the 10th time next year. She is 17-8 lifetime on the green clay and was a 2015 finalist and 2018 semifinalist. She is a six-time WTA champion.
“It’s no secret I love playing in Charleston. The tournament is an amazing advocate for the sport and puts on an event that the players and fans look forward to every year,” said Keys. “The Credit One Charleston Open is already on my schedule for 2023 and I can’t wait to be back again.”
Fan favorite & 2019 #Charleston champion @Madison_Keys has added the #CharlestonOpen to her list of tournaments for 2023. 👏
This will be her 10th time competing on #DanielIsland, where she holds a 17-8 record & reached the finals in 2015 & the semifinals in 2018. pic.twitter.com/JEXSbLbhmS
— Credit One Charleston Open (@CharlestonOpen) October 12, 2022
Meanwhile, 2017 US Open champion Stephens has also played Charleston nine times and holds an 11-8 record. She won the tournament title in 2016 and twice reached the quarterfinals, in 2019 and 2021.
“I always feel at home in Charleston and love playing in front of a crowd that knows and loves tennis,” said Stephens. “I’ll never forget winning the title there and I’m excited to be back to compete on the clay again next year.”
Three cheers for this #CharlestonOpen champion returning to the #Lowcountry! 📣 Fan favorite @SloaneStephens has officially joined the 2023 player field in #Charleston. pic.twitter.com/BN8Rx5L2pI
— Credit One Charleston Open (@CharlestonOpen) October 12, 2022
The nine-day Credit One Charleston Open, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, showcases a singles draw of 56 players, a qualifying draw of 32 players and a doubles draw of 16 players. The April event traditionally hosts more than 90,000 fans at the LTP Daniel Island Tennis Center.
Tickets for the 2023 tournament will be available starting October 27 and can be purchased online at creditonecharlestonopen.com or by calling (843) 856-7900.
