The WTA's grand tradition continues on green clay

Apr 09, 2017
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The WTA's grand tradition continues on green clay

The Volvo Car Open has a rich history of legendary champions and

Published Apr 09, 2017

The Volvo Car Open is a journey through rich tradition, legendary champions and picturesque tennis on America’s green clay, all of which filled the air in a week of upsets and inspiring stories. The event is pure elegance, beautiful weather, and a blend of Old World tennis charm in the Deep South.

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The grand tournament was the cradle of the WTA tour when in 1973 Billie Jean King and eight players garnered bigger prize money and a TV deal with NBC to show the final. Sponsored primarily by Virginia Slims cigarettes, the event showcased the best stars in women’s tennis.

Chris Evert dominated the tour for eight titles from 1974-85. Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf won four titles. Martina Hingis, Justine Henin and Serena Williams have been multiple title winners. There have been memorable matches and nostalgic moments, like 16-year-old Hingis’ three-set classic over Monica Seles in 1997.

The court was named after King in 2012, and it’s fitting that the surface is also one of a kind. The Har-Tru green clay is a curiously pleasing dark green and gray blend of colors that may not be so easy to spot the ball on TV, but it’s an exceptional blend of bigger hops and more spin than hard courts. It’s a nice bridge to the slower pace of red clay that continues the tours in Europe.

Participants this year like world No. 15 Elena Vesnina are excited to play and experience the very best tournament on this surface.

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Charleston’s green clay is a reminder that the U.S. Open used this surface at Forest Hills in 1975-77. It’s still a beloved and common surface in the Deep South, and there are plenty of advocates who toss up the idea that green clay be adopted for Miami.

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Meanwhile the future roars on at the Volvo Open with a surprisingly youthful final. Teenagers Jelena Ostapenko and Daria Kasatkina were not born when Hingis defeated Seles. Kasatkina would take out Ostapenko on Sunday for the biggest title of her career.

The legendary aura at Charleston will forever envelope the 2017 champion with tennis lore.