Konta, Stephens and Vesnina enter 2017 VCO playing field
Three more of the world’s current tennis all-stars – a defending champion, a top 10 player, and an Olympian - have entered the playing field for the 2017 Volvo Car Open.
Johanna Konta, the new World No. 10, Sloane Stephens, the 2016 Volvo Car Open Champion and Elena Vesnina, the 2016 Volvo Car Open Finalist and Olympic Gold Medalist, have all committed to play in the 2017 Volvo Car Open, April 1st – 9th on Daniel Island in Charleston, South Carolina. They join Former World No. 1’s Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki, World No. 8 Madison Keys and Olympic Gold Medalist Monica Puig on the VCO roster forming for the 45th year of the WTA premier tournament.
“Our player commitments continue to grow, and we are thrilled to bring Johanna, Sloane and Elena to Charleston,” said Eleanor Adams, Tournament Manager. “The fans are in for a real treat in 2017 – another top 10 player, past champion and Gold Medalist is coming to town! Each has had impressive 2016 seasons, and will up the competition in our field next year.”
Konta will play in the main draw of the Volvo Car Open for the first time in 2017. She won her inaugural WTA title this year in Stanford, and made the finals in Beijing and semifinals in Eastbourne and the Australian Open. She also reached the quarterfinals in Wuhan, Montreal, Miami, Monterrey and the Rio Olympics.
The 25-year-old Konta recorded five Top 10 wins this season. Her impressive year resulted in breaking into the Top 10, and becoming the first woman from Britain to achieve this feat in 32 years.
Stephens won three WTA titles this year - in Auckland, Acapulco and Charleston. Her 2016 win at Volvo Car Open is her biggest victory to date, and was celebrated with a gift of a Volvo V60 Polestar from title sponsor, Volvo Car USA. The 23-year-old also made the third round in the French Open and Wimbledon this year. She finished 2016 as World No. 35, marking her fifth season in a row ending within the Top 40. The 2017 Volvo Car Open will be her seventh straight appearance in the player field.
Stephens joins Williams and Wozniacki as three past champions in the 2017 Volvo Car Open player field.
Vesnina ended the 2016 season as World No. 16. The 2017 Volvo Car Open will be her 11th time competing in Charleston, where she holds an 18-10 record. She was a singles finalist in the tournament in 2011 and 2016. In addition to her finals run in Charleston this year, she made the semifinals in Wimbledon and the quarterfinals in Eastbourne, Strasbourg and Doha.
Along with fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova, Vesnina won a Gold Medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics in women’s tennis doubles. The pair also won the WTA Finals and Montreal.
The nine-day Volvo Car Open is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America, attracting an average of 90,000 attendees and 70+ of the top tennis players.
Tickets for the 2017 Volvo Car Open are now on sale. Patrons have the option to choose from individual tickets, ticket packages and travel packages. Ticket prices range from $25 for an individual session to $525 for the all-inclusive weeklong package. The Volvo Car Open will provide six special ticket packages in 2017, each offering more tennis at a greater value.
New in 2017, the tournament will roll out the Ace Club, an exciting membership program for box and ticket package holders. The Ace Club is a recognition program providing unparalleled amenities and benefits during the tournament. In addition, members have the option to receive access into the Ace Lounge, an exclusive hospitality tent providing first-class accommodations including, live entertainment, air-conditioning, elevated food options and more.
For more information on the tournament and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or call 800.677.2293.