Vivid Memories from the Family Circle Cup

This year ushers in the first ever Volvo Car Open on Daniel Island. For the first 15 years that the tennis tournament was played on Daniel Island, it was known as the Family Circle Cup. As a tribute to the past, we asked fans, players, volunteers and event staff to reflect on their most vivid memories from the Cup. You can find their memories on pages 24-26 of this week’s edition.

Many people who were involved in the past with the Cup remembered the tornado that struck the stadium and grounds during the qualifying matches of the 2006 tournament. That is a most vivid memory for me as well. I was watching a match on Club Court when I saw a storm approaching. The sky was getting very black so, as a precaution, I headed for the exit. As I was driving down Island Park Drive, the tornado crossed right in front of my car at Guggenheim Plaza. At the time, there were no buildings located between Island Park Drive and the stadium. The cover photo depicts the clear path the tornado took from the road to the stadium.

Soon after, as I turned from Island Park Drive onto Seven Farms Drive, my car was pelted with hail. Later, when I retraced my path back to the tournament, I could see the damage the tornado caused. Luckily, no one was injured. There was some minor damage to trees and to the stadium banners and tents. Former Cup Media Director Mike Saia shared this week that some of the debris from the tornado is still in the trees behind the stadium! This was a unique event for a tennis tournament, and indeed remains a vivid memory for all who witnessed it. You can read the original story from 2006 on our web site at: http://www.thedanielislandnews.com/tornado-hits-family-circle-cup-daniel.... Of course, the event is about tennis, and there are many great memories from the tennis action. Most vivid for me: Sam Stosur’s dominating 6-0, 6-1 victory over Vera Zvonareva in 2010 and Zvonareva’s racket smashing meltdown on center court; Jelena Janković riding down Seven Farms Drive in a golf cart after her 2007 victory with pure joy on her face and waving like a beauty queen; 5’ 6” Justine Henin-Hardenne defeating the World No. 1 Serena Williams 6–3, 6–4 in 2003; and the Patty Schnyder/Conchita Martinez fake-out, non-handshake after their crazy 2004 match.

Although the name has changed, the tournament remains a top-notch event with world class tennis, excellent vendors and entertainment, and a great hometown. Fans, players, volunteers and staff can look forward to making many new memories at the Volvo Car Open!

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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