It’s not too early to book one of our Isle of Palms luxury rentals for the upcoming Volvo Car Open, where you can watch the world’s greatest female tennis players battle it out on the court. Known for years as the Family Circle Cup, this year marks the first with a new name and sponsor, as I covered in THIS blog. 2016 marks the 44th year of the WTA event. It relocated to the Charleston area from Hilton Head in 2001, and it continues to grow in scope and prestige with each passing year. The tourney runs from April 2nd through April 10th.
Different name, same great tennis near our Isle of Palms luxury rentals!
Tickets are available now for either single sessions or for special packages and flex passes. Here’s a link to the official site with all the details: http://www.volvocaropen.com/ The action takes place at the giant stadium on Daniel Island. It’s an easy drive from all our luxury beach house rentals SC. It’s particularly convenient to our Isle of Palms vacation rentals - just head over the Connector to Hwy 17, take I-526 to the second exit at Daniel Island and follow the signs. In some rather exciting news, six different past champions have announced they’ll be playing the tournament this year. They include: Jelena Jankovic (2007), Sabine Lisicki (2009), Samantha Stosur (2010), Andrea Petkovic (2014), Angelique Kerber (2015), and one of the sport’s most popular figures, Venus Williams (2004). For more on the story, go to the Post & Courier you can check out Live 5 News’ take: http://www.live5news.com/story/31188555/three-additional-past-champions-return-for-the-volvo-car-open A Charleston beach house makes a perfect home base for attending these matches. In fact, Venus and her sister Serena have been known to spend their tourney time staying here in a luxury house on Isle of Palms. As Tournament Manager Eleanor Adams explained, "Venus is one of the greats. She created a brand of power tennis that is now a staple on the women's tour, a type of tennis that our fans can't get enough of. We're excited to have her back in Charleston this spring." Venus herself has this to say about our fair Lowcountry: "I love traveling to Charleston and playing in a stadium where the fans always get behind me. The Family Circle Cup has come to have a special place in my heart, and a tournament I always look forward to."
Here’s a full list of past champions:
2015 Angelique Kerber
2014 Andrea Petkovic
2013 Serena Williams
2012 Serena Williams
2011 Caroline Wozniacki
2010 Samantha Stosur
2009 Sabine Lisicki
2008 Serena Williams
2007 Jelena Jankovic
2006 Nadia Petrova
2005 Justine Henin
2004 Venus Williams
2003 Justine Henin
2002 Iva Majoli
2001 Jennifer Capriati
2000 Mary Pierce
1999 Martina Hingis
1998 Amanda Coetzer
1997 Martina Hingis
1996 Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario
1995 Conchita Martinez
1994 Conchita Martinez
1993 Steffi Graf
1992 Gabriela Sabatini
1991 Gabriela Sabatini
1990 Martina Navratilova
1989 Steffi Graf
1988 Martina Navratilova
1987 Steffi Graf
1986 Steffi Graf
1985 Chris Evert
1984 Chris Evert
1983 Martina Navratilova
1982 Martina Navratilova
1981 Chris Evert
1980 Tracy Austin
1979 Tracy Austin
1978 Chris Evert
1977 Chris Evert
1976 Chris Evert
1975 Chris Evert
1974 Chris Evert
1973 Rosie Casals
If you are interested in SC vacation rentals during the tournament - either one of our Isle of Palms luxury rentals or a Folly Beach house Charleston - you’d better give us a call soon. Charleston beach house rentals for that period are in high demand, as the warm weather moves in and high season outdoor events start happening. Hello, Cooper River Bridge Run! It’s also taking place on April 2nd… http://bridgerun.com/ 
Also near our Isle of Palms luxury rentals...
Speaking of strong, talented women….. if you’re in one of our beach house rentals Charleston SC anytime between February 18th through March 26th, there’s a cool show you might want to check out. It’s “Dreamgirls, The Revue.” It’s inspired by the Tony Award-winning musical on Broadway and features the music and moves of some of the best girl groups of all time, e.g. the Supremes, Martha & The Vandellas, the Pointer Sisters, En Vogue, the Bangles, Wilson Phillips and Destiny’s Child. The show’s happening at the Charleston Cabaret Theatre, located at 873 Folly Road on James Island. Here’s more, including online ticket sales: http://charlestonperformingarts.org/ If you are interested in one of our rental homes South Carolina for April or anytime, call EP ASAP. They go especially fast during the big events. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger