12 Memorable Moments from the 2025 Credit One Charleston Open

It’s been another unforgettable 9 days for the Credit One Charleston Open in 2025. From a bumping Family Weekend to some 90,000-plus fans streaming through the gates, the tournament has provided countless memories – and moments of motivation.

We highlight 12 of those here… from on court, off court and beyond.

SINGLES CHAMPION… In her early 20s, Jessica Pegula based herself out of the Charleston area and trained at LTP-Daniel Island as she was trying to crack into the game’s upper echelon. Years later, the top seed in Charleston claimed her eighth career WTA singles title with a 6-3, 7-5 triumph over a resurgent Sofia Kenin in what marked a true full-circle accomplishment.

Pegula was a steady force throughout the week, having reached the final in Miami. Her victory means she’ll become the top-ranked American at world No. 3 next week, and now 25 match wins in 2025 are the most among any WTA player so far this season.

DOUBLES: OSTAPENKO AND ROUTLIFFE BAT 1000… No, top seeds Jelena Ostapenko and Erin Routliffe had never played doubles together before this week. Yes, they walked away undefeated. With both players ranked inside the world’s top five in doubles, they synched up for a dazzling debut alongside one another with one goal in mind: Play without pressure.

It worked. The new duo survived two match tiebreaks in their first three matches, then were the superior team over Americans Caroline Dolehide and Desirae Krawcyzk in the final, winning a high-quality affair 6-4, 6-2. The first title of many for these two?  

WTA, Tennis, Charleston, COCO, 2025
2025 Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium on April 06, 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina.

“PLEASE WELCOME, FROM AUSTRALIA: DARIA KASATKINA” … What could have seemed entirely insignificant from the outside was actually a moment to remember for 2017 Charleston champion Daria Kasatkina. The world No. 12 was announced onto Credit One Stadium court by name and country, and in this instance that was Australia – her new home. The WTA star had announced on social media the move just a day prior, saying she was looking forward to representing a country that had welcomed her with open arms. 

“It was difficult to keep the [emotions] back because my smile was going…  I couldn’t handle my smile,” Kasatkina said after. “I felt it would be strange, obviously, being called a player from Australia. … Altogether, it made this amazing mix of emotions. It was not easy to step on court playing the first match with the new flag, but I’m really happy how I was able to manage those nerves and get a win.”

Credit One Charleston Open, Credit One Stadium

HOME FAVORITE MADISON KEYS RETURNS WITH NEW BLING… Madison Keys’ victory tour has stretched across Indian Wells, Miami and Charleston over the last month – and rightfully so – as the 2025 Australian Open champion was feted for the most sparkling moment of her career thus far. The 30-year-old has an especially special connection to the Lowcountry, having played this tournament since 2013 and winning it in 2019. But it’s not just the tennis. Keys and her husband (and coach) Bjorn Fratangelo, were married in the Charleston area in November.

And Madison, who says it always feels like home playing here, isn’t shying away from maybe moving to CHS – one day: “If Bjorn said tomorrow that he wants to move to Charleston, I have a whole list of houses that we could move into,” she laughed. 

STARS AND STRIPES SHINE IN CHARLESTON… There’s always a strong contingent of American women at this event, and 2025 was no different. Nineteen USA flags were splashed across the singles draw, and five of those players – Pegula, defending champion Danielle Collins, Amanda Anisimova, local star Emma Navarro and Kenin – advanced to the quarterfinals. It marked the most Americans in the quarters here since 1982 – yes, 1982!

As Pegula and Kenin arrived to the final, the all-American title clash meant the first time since Martina Navratilova beat Jennifer Capriati for the title in 1990 that two U.S. players squared off in the championship tilt. 

TENNIS IS CHANGING LIVES (ON AND OFF THE COURT)… One moment can leave a lasting impression, especially on a kid. That rang true during a special visit to one of the local Meeting Street Schools locations, the COCO’s official non-profit partner.

Top seed Pegula was joined by fellow WTA star Ajla Tomljanovic and tournament ambassador Jen Brady as the trio served as “substitute teachers” for an afternoon in the classroom. The subjects? Tennis scoring (of course), public speaking 101 and strength and conditioning. A few kids were convinced they could take on Pegula, the world No. 4: “If there were five of us on our side,” they clarified, to laughter.

Australian Open champion and Charleston favorite Keys also gave her time along with Charleston native Shelby Rogers as they put on a clinic for a group from the Special Olympics.

CHARLESTON HAS MUCH TO CELEBRATE (25 YEARS’ WORTH, IN FACT)… It seems like just yesterday that Jennifer Capriati claimed the first iteration of the Credit One Charleston Open in Charleston — back in 2001. This year is Number 25 on Daniel Island, and the tournament celebrated appropriately. Champion banners were hung across the Island and around the tournament site, and a bespoke entry into Credit One Stadium greeted players on their way to court with photos of all the previous winners here.

THE WTA 500 EVENT IS A PILLAR OF LOWCOUNTRY LIFE… Those 25 years have meant the tournament is embedded into local life, something only further continued in 2025. Charleston native Emma Navarro was joined by former champion Belinda Bencic for the annual “iconic photo shoot” ahead of the tournament, this time featuring snaps from locations like The Battery, South of Broad and the iconic wisteria on Meeting Street, all to showcase the city’s charm, beauty and history.

Doubles stars Desirae Krawczyk and Giulana Olmos commuted on the year-round Daniel Island Ferry from downtown Charleston, which docks right at the tennis. And members of the Charleston Battery professional soccer team came to trade secrets — on soccer and on tennis — and brought jerseys for American Lauren Davis and tournament ambassador Alison Riske-Amritraj.

IT WAS A BUSY WEEK FOR THE AMBASSADORS… Regardless of where you looked this week, there seemed to be a COCO ambassador bringing fans closer to a world-class experience. Rogers, Riske-Amritraj, Jen Brady and the legendary Tracy Austin made the rounds for autograph appearances, meet-and-greets, daily chats on the Oaks Deck as part of the DXC Technology Series and much, much more.

It wasn’t just the leading ladies. Former men’s tennis stars John Isner, Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson also swung through the Lowcountry to talk tennis, interact with fans and get a taste of why this has been the WTA 500 tournament of the year for three years running.

LTP-DANIEL ISLAND IS RACQUET SPORT HEAVEN… Yes, the WTA action was center stage throughout, but fans could try their own hand at a variety of racquet sports. The USTA PlayTennis fan zone offered several challenges to hone your tennis game, while both pickleball and padel featured, too. Fans could step onto the short courts for a game of pickleball, while on Family Weekend professional padel players were on site to offer instruction on their growing discipline, giving attendees the chance to try it out, too.

There was also a brand-new wheelchair tennis exhibition, featuring two student athletes from the Clemson University wheelchair tennis team, McKenna Woodhead and Delany Hopkins.

And ahead of the tournament, owner Ben Navarro joined daughter Emma and a host of others – including Tracy Austin (photographed below) – for a pro-am tennis event that benefitted the aforementioned Meeting Street Schools.

WTA, Tennis, Charleston, COCO, 2025
2025 Credit One Charleston Open at on March 30, 2025 in Charleston, South Carolina.

COCO SERVED UP THE BEST (FOR YOUR TASTEBUDS)… Nothing says Charleston like good food. And we mean really, really good food. There was plenty on-hand (and in mouths and bellies) this week at COCO, including a host of local food truck vendors, COCO row — featuring Daniel Island favorite Mpishi, Verde salads and more — and a signature drink, The First Serve.

The food and drink options were abundant, and could be enjoyed across the grounds, including the shaded Oaks Deck. Fans could level up this year, too, with the Greenhouse, a new garden-inspired luxury lounge located on the Grand Lawn and featuring a tasting menu from the chefs behind The Charleston Place.

THE DOG DAYS OF CHARLESTON… Is the Credit One Charleston Open becoming the No. 1 stop on tour for dogs, too? While the event is the three-time reigning WTA 500 of the year, its Southern charm and cozy confines have had an inadvertent impact: Players toting along their dogs for the week.

Collins, Pegula, Tomljanovic and Anna Kalinskaya all had canine companions along their side, with Danielle’s dog Quincy hitting the practice court, sleeping court-side during mom’s matches, and even making an appearance in a post-match interview.

Pegula’s pups, meanwhile, had a comfy home away from home, with Jess and her husband staying in the Charleston area in a rented house, complete with a fenced-in backyard and a few morning trips to the beach. Maddie, her mini Australian Shepherd, joined Pegula on court after she claimed the trophy.

Truly, where the court meets the coast.