Sloane Stephens and Genie Bouchard Join Player Field

Sloane Stephens and Eugenie Bouchard have committed to play in the inaugural Volvo Car Open (formerly the Family Circle Cup), April 2^nd – 10^th, 2016, on Daniel Island in Charleston, S.C. They join Angelique Kerber, Venus Williams, Belinda Bencic, Lucie Safarova, Madison Keys, Andrea Petkovic and more in the player field forming for the WTA premier tournament.

The 22-year-old Stephens and 21-year-old Bouchard have both played in Charleston before. This year will mark Stephens’ sixth appearance in the field and Bouchard’s fourth.

“Sloane and Genie are the next generation of tennis stars – two young players to watch,” said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. “Our fans have watched them compete in Charleston and have been rooting them on since their teenage years. You can be assured these talented ladies will have successful careers for many years to come.”

Stephens, ranked World No. 24, is off to a great start for the 2016 season. The American won her second WTA title at the ASB Classic in Aukland last month. The 2015 season proved to be a successful one for Stephens. She won the first WTA title of her career in August of 2015 at the Citi Open. In addition to her win in Washington D.C., she made the semifinals in Strasbourg and Eastbourne, the quarterfinals in Miami and Seoul and the fourth round in Paris, at the French Open.

“I love playing on clay, it’s my favorite surface,” said Stephens. “I’m excited to kick-off the clay court season in Charleston again this year at the Volvo Car Open.”

Bouchard recently reached the Hobart finals in January 2016. Last year, she made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the fourth round of the U.S. Open. The 2014 season was a historic one for Bouchard, marked with semifinals appearances at the Australian Open and French Open, as well as her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon. The Canadian also won her first WTA title at Nurnberg.

Bouchard made the quarterfinals of the Family Circle Cup in 2013 and the semifinals in 2014.

“I’ve had great tournaments in Charleston,” said Bouchard. “I really love playing in this city. The fans, the food, the tennis – it’s all amazing. I’m looking forward to being there again.”

Tickets for the 2016 Volvo Car Open are now on sale. For more information on tickets, call 800.677.2293 or visit http://volvocaropen.wpengine.com. Patrons can purchase single session tickets, or choose from a variety of ticket and travel packages.