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In 2000, Family Circle magazine became the first title sponsor to
partner with city and county municipalities to build a state-of-the-art tennis
facility that would be home to America’s oldest all-women’s Tier
1 event. With support from the City of Charleston, Daniel Island, the state
of South Carolina, and Charleston and Berkeley counties, the $15 million
dollar Family Circle Tennis Center was opened in the spring of 2001. Surrounded
by lush landscape and century old oaks, the Family Circle Tennis Center was
designed to highlight the charm and beauty of the Lowcountry.
This award-winning public facility is first class in every
sense of the word. With 17 championship tennis courts (13 clay, 4 hard and
all courts lighted for night play), the Tennis Center is a 32-acre state
of the art facility highlighted by the 10,200 seat Family Circle Magazine
Stadium. A unique 10,000 square foot Clubhouse serves as the hub of activity
on a year-round basis. The first level of the Clubhouse features the Tennis
Center Pro Shop. The pro shop offers a multitude of amenities for club members
and patrons, including tennis clothing, luxury locker room facilities, racquets,
accessories and professional stringing services. The clubhouse also serves
as the corporate headquarters for the Family Circle Cup. Overlooking the
majestic Althea Gibson Club Court and a stone’s throw from the water,
the Clubhouse mirrors the traditional, architectural charm synonymous with
the South.
The facility also hosts a variety of events throughout the
year including concerts, festivals, tournaments and other special activities.
Over the past five years, the venue has garner recognition not only a national
level but an international one as well. In 2001 the USTA selected the facility
to receive the Public Facility of the Year award as part of their annual
Outstanding Facilities Awards.
As one of the top public tennis facilities in the southeast,
it joined over 2,500 other public facilities across America to become designated
as a Tennis Welcome Center. This national initiative is aimed at growing
the sport of tennis and making the game of tennis a fun experience.
With one of the most qualified teaching staffs in the country,
the Family Circle Tennis Center provides residents of Charleston with a diverse
tennis program aimed at pleasing every age and skill level. The professional
staff offers one of the most comprehensive selections of social and instructional
programs in the area for both adults and juniors.
In addition to the world-renowned Family Circle Cup event,
the Tennis Center also holds a number of key tennis events including the
Junior Family Circle Cup. Over the past three years, the Junior Family Circle
Cup has gained status as one of the top junior events in the southeast with
over 400 elite juniors participating in the event. Within the past couple
years, the facility has won bids on hosting a number of top national and
international tennis events. In September of 2004, the Family Circle Tennis
Center served as host site for the Davis Cup semifinal tie between the United
States and Belarus. As the world’s largest annual international team
competition, Charleston and the facility received worldwide attention. In
January 2004, Charleston was selected, for the first time in the city’s
history, as the host city for the USA League Tennis Southern Sectional Championships
in 2005 and 2006. This past July over 2,000 participants from nine different
states traveled to Charleston to take part in this regional event. Billed
as the “World’s Largest Tennis Tournament”, the Family Circle
Tennis Center served as host site for the nine-day event.
More than just a premier tennis facility, the Family Circle
Tennis Center is also the perfect place for an array of other activities.
This year-round venue currently hosts concerts, camps, cultural festivals,
athletic events, and other activities throughout the year. Over the past
few years, many of the music industry’s top acts have entertained audiences
at the Family Circle Magazine Stadium. The stadium has received glowing reviews
as Charleston’s top outdoor arena and is considered the perfect setting
for a concert under the stars. John Mayer, Don Henley, B.B. King, Daryl Hall
and John Oates and Hootie & The Blowfish are just a few of the popular
entertainers who have played to enthusiastic crowds on Daniel Island.
While the Family Circle Tennis Center is open to the public,
annual membership options are also available. Members enjoy not only the
benefits of playing at a world-class facility, but they are also afforded
with many additional amenities.
Important Phone Numbers to Know:
Main Number: 843-856-7900
Toll Free Number: 800-677-2293
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