Home sweet home for Shelby Rogers
It’s been a wild couple of months for tennis pro Shelby Rogers, a former Daniel Island resident who is enjoying her eighth year on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) international circuit.
She’s already played in six tournaments this year, including a momentous performance at the Rio Open, where she made it to the finals against 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy. Although Rogers lost the contest, Schiavone called it a tough match and described her opponent as “a young player” who “grew a lot in the circuit.” Then Rogers was off to the White House in late March for the Annual Easter Egg Roll, which included hitting the courts with President Barack Obama as part of a USTA tennis clinic for kids 10 and under.
On Saturday, she was happy to be back in Charleston for opening weekend of the Volvo Car Open (VCO), formerly known as the Family Circle Cup (FCC), an event near and dear to her heart. A former FCC ball girl, Rogers grew up on Daniel Island and spent many years practicing on local courts. Her arrival marks the first time she has been able to return to her hometown since Thanksgiving. Rogers, who received a late wild card entry into the tournament’s main draw, joined fellow WTA player and 2010 FCC champion Samantha Stosur for the VCO “draw ceremony” under sunny skies near the main entrance steps at Volvo Car Stadium on opening day.
As for what’s ahead in 2016, after experiencing both successes and injury-related setbacks last year, Rogers appears ready to push forward with renewed enthusiasm for taking her game to the next level. The 23 year-old local fan favorite said she is working to get her core stronger, while focusing on injury prevention and strengthening.
“This year, the goal was obviously (my) body,” said Rogers, currently ranked 103 in the world. “Just trying to stay healthy. And so far so good! I’ve had a great start to the year, just looking to keep the momentum going. Got to a final earlier this year and I’ve had some really good weeks. I’m just excited to be back home and hopefully put on a good show and compete really well.”
When asked which scored the highest in her book so far this year - making it to the Rio Open final or meeting the President of the United States – Rogers responded that both were true winning moments in her career.
“They were both great in their own way,” she said. “Obviously making the finals was great for me, a personal accomplishment. And then meeting the President was a lifetime unforgettable experience. I’ll never forgot either one, that’s for sure!”
Besides playing tennis in a premiere WTA event, what does she most look forward to when she comes home?
“Seeing all my friends and my family,” Rogers said. “Just spending time with them. Sleeping in my own bed is really nice, and eating my mom’s food! It’s the little things.”
Rogers played Lara Arruabarrena of Spain in the first round of the main draw on Monday, April 4, but victory went to her opponent with a final score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Arruabarrena was scheduled to take on 2015 Family Circle Cup defending champion Angeligue Kerber on Tuesday.
Thus far in her WTA career, Rogers has earned some $788,734 in prize money. In 2015, she took part in all four Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. Her career high world ranking is 70, which she reached in September 2014. Rogers has competed at the Charleston WTA tour stop six previous times, and the 2016 Volvo Car Open will be her fourth time in the main draw. She is one of 10 Americans playing in the main draw this year. Also representing the USA are Venus Williams, Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, Madison Brengle, Christina McHale, Irina Falconi, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Alison Riske, and Louisa Chirico.