IT HAS BEGUN!!!

Every spring, the City of Charleston and Daniel Island serves as a backdrop to one of the richest and most traditional events in women’s professional tennis. The Family Circle Cup, a WTA Premier Event, and the largest women’s tournament in the world, has a roster of past champions that include some of the biggest names in the history of women’s tennis including Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini, Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati, Venus Williams, Justine Henin, Serena Williams, and Caroline Wozniacki.

Covering the Family Circle Cup is one of my favorite assignments every year. Today was the first round of qualifying for the main draw, which begins on Monday. For me, today’s highlight was watching our very own local Shelby Rogers (who is looking leaner and fitter than I’ve ever seen her) win a tough 3-set battle!  A future highlight I’m looking forward to is having Agnieszka Radwanska return after JUST defeating Maria Sharapova at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami earlier today.  She’ll be one to watch in Charleston as well!

I’ll be posting daily images and anecdotes from out here in the trenches. If you get a chance, come on out and join in the fun!!!