What to expect at Credit One Charleston Open kicks off this weekend

DANIEL ISLAND, SC (WCBD) – Saturday marks the opening weekend for Credit One Charleston Open, North America’s largest womens-only professional tennis tournament.

The tournament welcomes nearly 90,000 tennis fans to the Lowcountry; qualifying rounds start this weekend, and around those matches, there is so much to do, including a handful of new things coming to the tournament this year.

Here’s a glance at things you can do at the Charleston Open just this weekend:

• Watch the qualifying rounds
• Play tennis, pickleball, or padel
• Enjoy Live Music and local food vendors
• Kids zone with inflatables and games
• Food, drinks and regional snacks

As many schools in the area embark on spring break, this weekend marks family weekend at the tournament where kids will have free entry with adult tickets priced at $10.

In addition to many returning favorites, some new activities are coming to the Charleston Open this year including the sport padel. Padel mixes elements of tennis and squash and is played in doubles on an enclosed court.

Organizers say it’s a sport you could learn to play at the tournament, as it’s more popular than pickleball in some countries.

Another new part of the open this year is the venue layout. Bob Moran, director of the tennis tournament, said they are already set up and ready to welcome guests days before the first swing of the racket.

“I think people will, again, be really surprised when they walk through the gates and see how much things have changed. From the beauty of the site to the activities on the site, more opportunities for shade, more opportunities to engage outside the world-class tennis. So, like I said, we’re ready to go today, we have players on site practicing they’re here and they’re happy,” said Moran.

The qualifying rounds begin Saturday morning. For tickets, visit