Tennis Takes on New Life

Family Circle Tennis Center, a $15 million state of the art facility serves as the centerpiece to an amazing 32 acre tennis complex on Daniel Island. It has achieved national acclaim and is first class in every sense of the word. With 17 championship courts highlighted by the 10,200 seat Family Circle Magazine Stadium, which hosts a variety of events throughout the year including concerts, festivals, professional tournaments and other special activities.

The Family Circle Tennis Center is one of the finest tennis facilities in the Southeast with one of the most qualified teaching staffs in the country. The Center provides residents of Charleston with a diverse tennis program aimed at pleasing every age and skill level.

The Family Circle Tennis Center is the home of the Family Circle Cup, America's premier women's tennis event. When the Family Circle Cup made its debut on the women's tour in 1973, the tournament made headlines in the world of sports by offering the first $100,000 in prize money and by being the first to be televised on a national network. For over three decades, this event has attracted worldwide attention and the tournament's parade of champions includes some of the greatest players in the history of women's tennis. Every spring, tennis enthusiasts get an opportunity to see the greats like Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati play for the cup. The stars of the "celebrity parade" in the 2008, 35th anniversary celebration of the Family Circle Cup included Six of the most prominent champions including Rosie Casals, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Conchita Martinez and Jelena Jankovic. For tennis tournament or class schedules, please visit familycirclecup.com. for tournament and class schedules.

Tennis fanatics will find their utopia here in Charleston not just as spectators for tournaments, but with the opportunity to play at two of the best tennis resorts in the nation and the world. The tennis programs at Kiawah Island Golf Resort and Wild Dunes earn them the sport's highest accolades, including being ranked consistently on the list of "Greatest U.S. Tennis Resorts" by TENNIS Magazine. In 2011 Tennis.com ranks Kiawah as #3 behind Rancho Valencia, Rancho Santa Fe, California and Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Wild Dunes placed #6 in its Top 50 U.S. List.

Additionally, these two Charleston area resorts consistenly grab the top spots in the world in annual tennis resort rankings by tennisresortsonline.com. Tennis Resorts Online solicits opinions from thousands of tennis-playing vacationers worldwide. In 2011, their Top 100 Tennis Resorts and Camps continues to include both Kiawah Island Golf Resort and Wild Dunes Resort with these honors:

Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina #1 in the World, overall — and nearly every year of the past several years.

In the sub category rankings:
#1 Best Tennis Instruction & Programs
#4 Best Game matching
#4 Best Tennis Staff
#2 Best Overall Children's Programs
#2 Best Junior Tennis

Wild Dunes is ranked #4 Worldwide, plus
#1 Best Game Matching
#1 Best Overall Children's Programs
#5 Best Junior Tennis Programs

Check Events section for sporting and other events scheduled in the Charleston area.

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