CHARLESTON, S.C./WASHINGTON, March 27, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)
The Credit One Charleston Open, the largest women’s-only professional tennis tournament in North America, has announced its four main draw wild cards for the upcoming (March 30 to April 7) WTA Tour tournament. They include: former World No. 1 and 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, World No. 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil, American Shelby Rogers and 2023 Wimbledon girls’ singles champion Clervie Ngounoue of the United States.
The field for the WTA 500 event on green clay now includes 10 Top 20 players, two former World No. 1 players, six former Charleston champions and two Charleston locals in the competition.
The #CHS field now holds ten top 20 players, six Charleston champions and four Grand Slam champions. View the full field and save your seat to see these players take on our green clay. 🎾
— Credit One Charleston Open (@CharlestonOpen) March 27, 2024
“We are excited to have an impressive lineup of wild cards this year, including former World No. 1 and past champion Caroline Wozniacki, Brazil’s Top-20 trailblazer Beatriz Haddad Maia, and the incredibly promising American young talent, Clervie Ngounoue,” said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment, in a statement.
“Caroline’s return to the courts in Charleston adds a layer of anticipation and nostalgia for our fans, while Beatriz’s breakthrough performances on the tour last year signal she’s a significant contender. Clervie represents the bright future of tennis at just 17 years old, and we can’t wait to see her compete on this grand stage. Their commitments emphasize our tournament’s reputation as a platform where legends, current champions, and future stars converge, promising a week of exciting tennis action for our fans.”
As for Rogers, a Charleston native, Moran said: “Welcoming Shelby Rogers back to the courts at an event that holds special significance for her as a local player, means a great deal to our tournament and our fans. Shelby’s determination to return to the game she loves is truly inspiring. It’s a moment of pride for us to see her compete in her hometown, and we look forward to supporting her throughout the tournament.”
The wild cards join a 48-player field that is headlined by World No. 5 and 2023 Montreal champion Jessica Pegula, World No. 6, three-time Grand Slam finalist and 2023 Charleston champion Ons Jabeur and World No. 9 and 2023 Guadalajara champion Maria Sakkari. In addition to Wozniacki, Grand Slam champions Victoria Azarenka, Sofia Kenin and Sloane Stephens are also entered.
Besides Wozniacki (2011) and Jabeur (2023), other past Charleston champions entered include: Stephens (2016), Daria Kasatkina (2017), Madison Keys (2019) and Veronika Kudermetova (2021)
Qualifying play begins on Saturday and six players will earn entry into the main draw, which begins next Monday and continues through April 7.
