2008 Cup Champion and Finalist to Headline Charleston Player Field

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2008 Cup Champion and Finalist to Headline Charleston Player Field

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World No. 2 Serena Williams and World No. 7 Vera Zvonareva have officially entered the 2009 Family Circle Cup. Serena Williams, a 9-time Grand Slam champion, returns as defending champion as she makes her sixth appearance in Charleston. Vera Zvonareva, the 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist, is making her seventh consecutive appearance at the Cup where she reached the finals in 2008. Williams and Zvonareva are set to headline the Family Circle Cup, a Premier Event on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, scheduled April 11-19, 2009 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, SC.

“We’re thrilled to have both our defending champion and finalist return to lead our player field at this year’s Family Circle Cup. These world-class athletes really captivated the crowd in last year’s three-set final, and I know our fans will be thrilled to see them return to Charleston,” commented Eleanor Adams, Family Circle Cup Tournament Manager. “Serena is one of the most electrifying female athletes in sports today, as well as an overwhelming fan-favorite at this event.”

“Vera made her mark on the WTA Tour in 2008, where she reached the Top 10 for the first time in her career. With six appearances in Charleston under her belt, her experience on Daniel Island will be a valuable asset as she makes another run at the title,” added Adams.

Throughout her illustrious career, Serena Williams’ accomplishments have made an indelible mark on the world of women’s professional tennis. With 32 singles titles, including nine Grand Slam championships, the most among active players, this 27-year-old former World No. 1 has notched 399 singles wins, nearly $22 million in career earnings, and won US Olympic Gold with her sister Venus in doubles at the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games. Serena spent eight years in the Top 10, including the 2008 season highlighted by her year-end World No. 2 ranking and third US Open title.

“I’m very happy to return to Charleston,” commented Serena Williams. “I love the atmosphere at this event and I look forward to the chance to defend my title in April.”

Williams has made five appearances in Charleston, where she has accumulated $336,540 in prize money, boasts a 12-4 record, and returns to this event with a five match win streak in progress. Her Cup earnings rank her at No. 7 among the Top 20 Family Circle Cup money leaders. Williams was named the 2004 Family Circle / Prudential Financial “Player Who Makes a Difference” for her outstanding contributions of time and energy to worthy charitable causes. Cultivating her philanthropic influence, Williams last November opened a much-needed secondary school in Kenya. Her efforts to bring education to as many children as possible remains an ongoing initiative, with plans for additional schools both domestic and internationally currently in the works. While competing in Charleston, she has participated in many clinics and has made appearances at schools as well as charitable and community events.

Throughout Vera Zvonareva’s nine-year career, she has notched seven singles titles, four doubles titles and two Fed Cup titles. This 24-year-old has amassed 315 career wins and over $5 million in career earnings. The 2008 season proved to be a breakthrough year for Zvonareva, marking her first year-end finish in the Top 10, and a career-high World No. 7 ranking. Her 2008 season was highlighted by WTA Tour titles in Prague and Guangzhou, reaching eight singles finals (the most by any player last year) including the Sony Ericsson Championships. She also captured the most match wins on season, tied with World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic, at 65. Combining her experience and impressive results, Zvonareva has become an imposing force at the highest ranks of the WTA Tour.

“I’ve had a lot of success at the Family Circle Cup and I’m excited to start my clay court season at this tournament,” stated Vera Zvonareva. “Charleston is such a beautiful city and I have a lot of great memories there.”

In 2008, Zvonareva defeated the No. 1 seed, Jankovic and the No. 4 seed, Elena Dementieva to reach the finals in the Family Circle Cup. She returns to Charleston for the seventh consecutive year holding a remarkable 15-6 record on Daniel Island, ranking her .714 winning percentage at No. 18 all-time for the Family Circle Cup. Zvonareva has accumulated over $225,000 in earnings in Charleston, placing her at No. 19 among the Family Circle Cup money leaders. She has achieved additional success in Charleston as a semifinalist in 2007 and quarterfinalist in both 2003 and 2004.