Hilton Head Monthly Magazine

Family Circle Cup showcases the best in women’s tennis

You would probably have to go to a tennis Grand Slam to find a better year-in-year-out draw of the world’s top women tennis players than the Family Circle Cup.

It was true when the tournament began on Hilton Head Island and it’s true now. This year, Charleston will seem about two hours closer (one down, one back) than the other women’s tour venue nearer to us. The tournament held a week earlier – for years on Amelia Island, Fla., — has moved to Ponte Vedra. Hop into the car (no buses this year) and head toward Beaufort and U.S. 21 to Gardens Corner for U.S. 17 north to Charleston for the Family Circle Cup, April 11-19.

Arrive early enough for the free street parking that is within walking distance of the Family Circle Cup (FCC) site through a Publix shopping center where you could grab a quick lunch if you can’t wait until getting into the stadium. Otherwise, you’ll end up parking under I-524.

Family Circle is filled with nothing but special events, including an Easter Sunday egg hunt April 12; Lacoste Fashion Show April 13; Post & Courier’s “Girls Night Out” April 14; USTA Member Appreciation Day April 15 and later that evening the Post & Courier’s Family Night.

Tennis? You bet. Consider defending champion Serena Williams, sister Venus, ’08 finalist Vera Zvonerava, up-and-comers Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniaki and youngster Alison Riske, a Pennsylvanian who has trained on Hilton Head Island and won a wildcard into FCC by winning the SMASH Junior Clay Courts there in February. Qualifying rounds April 11-12 are $10 admission. Main draw begins April 13.

Aside from top seed matches in Stadium Court, one feature match is played each day on Althea Gibson Club Court, and it’s typically the second match of the day. Seating is first come, first serve. Nearby are four practice courts where you can catch players.

Oh, and one special tip: The bathrooms in Family Circle Magazine Stadium have large open spaces above them. Any conversations louder than an office voice will be amplified by the concrete structure and will be heard by hundreds of people sitting in the first tier.