Elena Vesnina had an AWESOME week at the Family Circle Cup! She made it to the finals of the singles. And although she was denied the opportunity to raise that trophy, she DID take home some doubles hardware!!! Partnering with Sania Mirza, the duo from Russia and India, respectively, defeated Americans (and crowd favorites) Bethanie Matteck-Sands and Meghann Shaughnessy 6-4, 6-4. Here are some of my favorites. Enjoy!
She’s an un-believable embodiment of fierce competition, cunning tactician, power, style, and grace on the tennis court. Caroline Wozniacki is the NEW Family Circle Cup Champion! Defeating Elena Vesnina 6-2, 6-3…the action was way closer than the scores indicate. Here are a ton of pics for you. Enjoy!
The “Game, Set, Rock!” event returned to the Family Circle Cup for the second year. This time the star-studded lineup included John McEnroe, Todd Martin, Chris Evert, and Martina Navratilova!!! A mix of amazing tennis, high energy, and humorous live commentary from the miced players…the event was a huge hit with the crowd. Here are some pics. Enjoy!
The reason for leaving the Peng/Vesnina semi-finals is because Alice and I had to go photograph a VIP Event at the Daniel Island Club. It’s rare that either of us is “star-struck”. But the amount of GREATNESS in that room was staggering! And we were both giddy with excitement. 🙂
I only got to see the first set of the other semi-finals between Shuai Peng and Elena Vesnina. But I heard it was just as intense and went three sets! Here are some images from that match. I think today’s Family Circle Cup finals between Caroline Wozniacki and Elen Vesnina is going to be a good one!!! Enjoy!
Some of the media were calling the first semi-finals yesterday the REAL finals of the Family Circle Cup. Sure enough, it turned out to be a thrilling matchup. Here are some of my takes from the Caroline Wozniacki vs Jelena Jankovic match. Enjoy!
Each year at the Family Circle Cup, Mike Saia (Communications Manager) organizes a tennis tournament for all the Media. Many of the photographers, writers, TV crew, and media tent staff are avid tennis players. It’s a fun competition that re-energizes everyone after the long hours they’ve worked during week. I decided not to play this year for the first time. ( I’ve had the honor of winning the event three times.) So I was elected to photograph the champions instead. 🙂
John Zhu, Pablo Sanfransisco, Michael Fischbach, and Andrew Machota were this year’s winners!
Here are a few of my Shots of the Day from the Family Circle Cup. Enjoy!
Crowds arriving at the Family Circle Cup this morning were entertained by Shelby Rogers, Murphy Jensen, Kveta Peschke, and Ryan Young in a special Exhibition Match. Always the prankster, Murphy is hilarious when you give him a mic! 🙂
This morning Murphy Jensen (who won the French Open in doubles with his brother Luke) and Virginia Wade (winner of 3 singles and 4 doubles Grand Slam titles) gave a few lessons…and a few laughs…to a group of tennis players at the Family Circle Tennis Center.
Junior Alyssa D’Orazio, track and field standout at the college of Charleston, performed the coin flip before the Shelby Rogers & Patty Schnyder vs Alla Kudryavtseva & Anastasia Rodionova match the other day. Alyssa had been honored with a $5,000 scholarship for academic and athletic success and commitment to service from the Family Circle Cup.
You’ll see her experience from the day in this video shot by Jeremy. There are scenes inside the Media Tent (where I spend my days when not out shooting), as well as shots where you see me in my khaki fishing hat photographing her on Stadium Court (before the players arrive) and during the coin toss. I thought you might enjoy a little “Behind the Scenes” footage. Enjoy!
This evening after covering the day’s action at the Family Circle Cup, I got to photograph a VIP event at Market Street Circle just outside Charleston Place. Some of the celebrities that were there included Virginia Wade (last Briton to win Wimbledon) and Yanina Wickmayer (who played a valiant match but unfortunately lost in 3 sets to Caroline Wozniacki earlier today).
