With less than two weeks until the tournament begins, the excitement around the Family Circle Cup’s 35th Anniversary Celebration continues to build. Adding to a world class player field, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour informed the Family Circle Cup that World No. 5 Maria Sharapova has officially entered the event. Sharapova, a three-time Grand Slam champion joins an extraordinary line-up of players competing for one of the most prestigious trophies in the sport today. Due to a right quadriceps strain that occurred during her second round match at the Sony Ericsson Open, Nadia Petrova has been forced to withdraw from this year’s tournament. The Family Circle Cup, America’s oldest Tier I event, will celebrate its 35th Anniversary April 12th - 20th at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, South Carolina.
“Maria Sharapova is one of the most exciting and talented players on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, and her addition to our 35th Anniversary Celebration makes this year’s event one of the best ever,” said Robin Reynolds, Family Circle Cup Tournament Director. “With Maria’s entry today, our player field now boasts 7 of the Top 10 players in the world.”
"After getting some much needed rest for both my shoulder and my body, I now feel in great shape both mentally and physically to get back on the court," noted reigning Australian Open Champion Maria Sharapova. "The Family Circle Cup has such a solid reputation on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, and I'm excited to start my clay court season in Charleston."
Russian superstar Maria Sharapova has continued her stellar career into the 2008 season winning her third Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open and her 18th career Tour singles title at Doha. The former World No. 1 has notched a 291-67 career singles record and earned more than $11 million in prize money. Sharapova made her first appearance in Charleston as a qualifier, reaching the first round of main draw play in 2003. She has gained celebrity status appearing on numerous television shows, commercials, and magazine covers including Sports Illustrated, and was listed as one of the richest female athletes in the world by Forbes Magazine in 2007.
The Family Circle Tennis Center is a public facility owned by the City of Charleston and operated by Family Circle Magazine that hosts a variety of events including concerts, festivals, tennis events and other special activities throughout the year. With over 21 million readers, Family Circle is one of the most widely read monthly magazines in America and is one of 14 leading subscription magazines owned by Meredith Corporation. The Tennis Center features a 10,200 seat stadium, a Grand Lawn, 17 tennis courts lighted for night play, a racquet club featuring a full service pro shop, and locker room facilities. For more information on the Family Circle Cup or Tennis Center, please call (843) 856-7900 or visit us at familycirclecup.com.
With less than two weeks until the tournament begins, the excitement around the Family Circle Cup’s 35th Anniversary Celebration continues to build. Adding to a world class player field, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour informed the Family Circle Cup that World No. 5 Maria Sharapova has officially entered the event. Sharapova, a three-time Grand Slam champion joins an extraordinary line-up of players competing for one of the most prestigious trophies in the sport today. Due to a right quadriceps strain that occurred during her second round match at the Sony Ericsson Open, Nadia Petrova has been forced to withdraw from this year’s tournament. The Family Circle Cup, America’s oldest Tier I event, will celebrate its 35th Anniversary April 12th - 20th at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, South Carolina.
