charleston open week is underway as the Credit One Charleston Open opens the WTA’s shift from hard court to clay, with tournament play running March 28 through April 5 (ET) on Daniel Island.
What happens when the Charleston Open kicks off the clay-court swing?
The Credit One Charleston Open begins as the calendar turns from March to April, marking the WTA Tour’s move from hard courts to clay. The event is a WTA 500 tournament and is described as the largest women’s clay-court tournament in North America. It also serves as a warm-up stop on the road to later clay events in Madrid and Rome and then the French Open.
Organizers outlined a full competition window from qualifying through finals. Qualifying starts Saturday, March 28, followed by first-round play beginning Monday, March 30. The tournament concludes Sunday, April 5 (ET) with both doubles and singles finals scheduled on the final day. The doubles final is set for 12 p. m. ET, with the singles final to follow not before 2: 30 p. m. ET.
The tournament’s history stretches back to 1973, when it was known as the Family Circle Cup and played on Hilton Head Island. The event has earned WTA 500 Tournament of the Year honors for four straight years.
What if the field depth defines this year’s Charleston Open story?
The Credit One Charleston Open is set up with a 48-player singles draw, including 38 direct entries, six qualifiers, and four wild cards. The top 16 seeds receive byes into the second round, and the draw is scheduled to be revealed Saturday, March 28 at 3 p. m. ET.
Defending champion and World No. 5 Jessica Pegula headlines the field. Other Top 20 players listed in the draw include Ekaterina Alexandrova, 2022 champion Belinda Bencic, Iva Jovic, 2019 champion Madison Keys, Elise Mertens, and Diana Shnaider. The direct entry list also includes former Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko and Sofia Kenin, along with former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and Miami Open quarterfinalist Hailey Baptiste.
Wild cards add additional marquee names: 2016 Charleston champion Sloane Stephens, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, 2021 Australian Open finalist Jennifer Brady, and former World No. 2 Paula Badosa.
One notable change to the expected lineup: World No. 6 Amanda Anisimova was initially in the field but withdrew after disclosing an injury suffered at the prior week’s Miami Open.
What happens when fans get new ways to engage downtown?
Alongside on-court action, the tournament has added a new point of contact for fans: a downtown satellite location at Charleston Place on Meeting Street. The space is designed for prospective attendees to buy tickets in person, learn about on-site activities, and speak with representatives about seats, sessions, and premium experiences.
The downtown hub also offers free tournament giveaways and information on programming tied to the event, including themed nights, featured events, and food and beverage experiences.
On Daniel Island, the event is positioned as more than match play. Attendees are offered fan experiences that include food and entertainment from local vendors and opportunities to meet players during special events.
| Key item | What’s confirmed (ET) |
|---|---|
| Tournament window | March 28–April 5 |
| Start of first round | Monday, March 30 |
| Finals day schedule | Doubles final 12 p. m. ET; singles final not before 2: 30 p. m. ET |
| Singles draw size | 48 players (38 direct, 6 qualifiers, 4 wild cards) |
| Prize money | Record $2. 5 million, supported by Credit One Bank |
| New fan access point | Downtown ticket hub at Charleston Place on Meeting Street |
The event also announced a record $2. 5 million in prize money with support from Credit One Bank, framed by organizers as a landmark moment for equal prize money in women’s tennis.
With the schedule set, the draw reveal imminent, and multiple avenues for fans to participate—on Daniel Island and now downtown—the charleston open is positioned as an early clay-court focal point for both players and attendees.
