VCO 2019 – Day 3

We survived “Hump Day” at the Volvo Car Open! The best part was, the sun came out. YAY!!! There was a ton of AMAZING action, both on and off the courts. Here are a few selects from another incredible day of WTA tennis…

VCO 2019 – Day 2

Round 1 of the Main Draw at the 2019 Volvo Car Open is in the history books! It was a cold and windy day. But the light was great and the energy was electric!!!

The day started off with special appearance by former world number 1, Tracy Austin, at the Doubles & Bubbles Luncheon.  On the courts, former champions Andrea Petkovic, Sloane Stephens, and Kiki Bertens all sailed into the second round. Top sead Stephens had to fight hard for her win oveer a fiesty Sara Sorribes Tormo. American Amanda Anisimov put up a good fight, but lost to Petra Martic in three sets. Maria Sakkari triumphed in 3 sets.  Qualifier Kateryna Kozlova upset Kristyna Pliskova. And newcomer to the stage, Emma Navarro, really impressed fans with her game, going toe-to-toe with Laura Siegemund before falling to the former semifinalist. Navarro is a Charleston native, and was making her first ever official WTA appearance on the tour!

Can’t wait to see what’s in store for Day 3…

VCO 2019 – Day 1

Qualifying rounds are completed. The main draw has been set. And Day 1 of the Volvo Car Open was full of triumphs and defeats!

Early in the day I had a great time photographing all the amazing ball crew when Kristyna Pliskova made a special appearance.

Another highlights of the day was photographing the Top 8 seeds at the Media All Access Hour, including Sloan Stephens, Anastasija Sevastova, Caroline Wozniacki, Julia Goerges, Kiki Bertens, Aryna Sabalenka, and Danielle Collins.

But the real show-stopper was when an emotional Shelby Rogers won her first match back on the tour after a difficult year of recovery after a scary knee surgery!

Stay tuned for Day 2…

VCO 2019 – Iconic Photo Shoot

To kick of the start of the Volvo Car Open each year, the tournament has me photograph what they call the Iconic Photo Shoot. They select two players, who we take to an iconic Charleston landmark, where they pretend to play a little tennis. This year’s players were rising American star, Danielle Collins, and our 2017 champion from Latvia, Jelena Ostapenko.

VCO 2019 – Family Day

The first day of qualifying at the Volvo Car Open (www.volvocaropen.com) was absolutely EPIC!!! Between Family Day, VIP clinics, all the special player autograph sessions, and the Draw Party, there was so much to see and photograph. It kept me hopping while I hustled to cover everything…including even a little bit of tennis action!  🙂

Family Circle Cup is now Volvo Car Open

The Family Circle Cup has a new title sponsor and is now the Volvo Car Open!

Don’t worry, the longest running and largest women’s professional tennis tournament is still the same amazing event it always has been…just with a new name. 🙂

Here are some images from the days before the official start of the tournament. My coverage began with the annual Iconic Photo Shoot, featuring the two previous champions, Angie Kerber and Andrea Petkovic. It continued with all kinds of player appearances and activities during the Family Day at qualifying rounds. And it culminated in the always amazing Player Party, which officially welcomes all the players to town and kicks of the tournament with a bang!

Stay tuned…seven more days of awesome tennis to come!!!

Angelique Kerber

Congratulations to 2015 Family Circle Cup Champion, and now 2016 Australian Open Champion, Angelique Kerber!!!

Less than a year after winning in Charleston, Kerber stunned Serena Williams down under in a 6-4 3-6 6-4 thriller. This is her first grand slam title! The big-hitting lefty’s accomplishment deprived the American of a 22nd major title, which would have tied Kerber’s fellow German, Steffi Graf, for the lead in the Open Era.

Kerber sunk to her knees when Williams sent a forehand volley sailing long on match point. Emotions soon manifested themselves in tears as the gravity of what the 7th seed had accomplished finally sunk in. Later, the legendary Steffi Graf, one of my personal favorites of all time, called Kerber to congratulate her.

Hopefully we’ll see Angelique Kerber back this year at the newly renamed Volvo Car Open!!! 🙂

Best Tennis Town in America

“As announced live at the US Open in New York, Charleston has WON the 2010 Best Tennis Town in America contest, ahead of second-place finisher Atlanta, GA and third-place finisher Richmond, VA.   Along with the incredible the honor (and bragging rights), the lowcountry area will receive a $100,000 award to be used for tennis programming and facility enhancements.”

As an active player in the Charleston tennis community, and the official photographer of the Family Circle Cup professional WTA Tour tennis tournament, I’m excited to share this video with everyone.  Look for me in the blue shirt (hint: I’m the one with all the camera gear!) at the 2:46 minute mark while photographing a player appearance during the Family Circle Cup several years ago!!!  🙂

Family Circle Cup Photo in Charleston Magazine

 

Most of you know I’m one of the Official Photographers of the Family Circle Cup.  Last year I had the honor of meeting a fabulous sports writer by the name of Bobby Chintapalli!  She was terrific to work with and a pleasure to be around.  She just emailed me a link to this article she wrote for Charleston Magazine because she realized the photo they used was one of mine.   Thanks Bobby!

Featured on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Website

Mike Saia, my “Boss” for the week at the Family Circle Cup when I photograph the professional tennis tournament there every spring, just sent me this note:  “Check out the WTA home page: www.sonyericssonwtatour.com.  Wait for the Flash to move to More News!”  Turns out the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour is using my image of Samantha Stosur, last year’s champion, on their main page.  I love it!!!