Still subscribing to the daily newspaper has its benefits, an obvious one being staying informed of current events, especially local ones.
Charleston’s daily, The Post and Courier, occasionally offers additional benefits such as free access to places and happenings. Such was the case on Sunday, April 5 when Alesia and I attended the final day of the annual WTA Credit One Charleston Open (COCO for short). The Women’s Tennis Association tournament held at first-rate facilities on Daniel Island is the traditional beginning to the women’s clay court season.
As I’m writing this the French Open in Paris has just begun. This reminded me that I should do a post about last month’s Charleston competition.
I visited Roland Garros, site of the French Open, in 2017. See my post and pictures here.
I had applied for free tickets after seeing the offer in The Post and Courier several weeks earlier. I received an email on a Tuesday I think it was asking if I wanted to attend that evening. My work prohibited that from happening, so I figured I missed my chance. But then, later in the week, I received another email saying I could get two free tickets to the Sunday matches.
It was a great day for Americans! In the doubles final these two Yanks won the big trophy. Desirae Krawczwk (serving) and Caty McNally came out on top.
Congratulations to all the finalists, especially the American victors!
On the Tennis Channel this morning (May 24) I watched Caty McNally (right) win her first-round singles match at the French Open. Keep it going Caty!
Before the singles finals we had time to walk around the grounds, get a bite to eat and watch the Tennis Channel live coverage. That’s recently retired top player Danielle Collins (left) on the set with another former top U.S. player Shelby Rogers. Shelby hails from Charleston and was even a ball girl at this tournament as a youngster. As an adult she played here numerous times. So did Danielle, who won the singles title just two years ago in 2024.
Danielle Collins was a player I always enjoyed for her fierce ground strokes and feisty demeanor on court.
It was a full house and perfect weather for championship Sunday. Our free Post and Courier seats were excellent too!
In the final, defending champion Jessica Pegula took on a relatively unknown Ukrainian player, Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Like the doubles match, this was also one-sided.
Jessica (serving here) won 6-2, 6-2.
I was happy Jessica won so easily after three of her preceding matches went three sets.
Yuliia hopefully has more great results in her future. Since coming to the U.S. to attend and play tennis at Old Dominion University several years ago she talked about how she has been unable to see her parents in war-torn Ukraine.
Maybe with her sizable runner-up check, a family reunion has happened. Learn more about her life and struggles here.
All credit at the Credit One Charleston Open to now back-to-back champion Jessica Pegula!
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