Even though the COVID-19 pandemic caused the Volvo Car Open to be canceled, Charleston is now hosting the Credit One Bank Invitational, continuing the city’s longstanding tennis tradition with an all-star cast of 16 women.
The players are divided into two teams: Team Kindness led by 2017 US Open finalist Madison Keys and Team Peace led by nine-time Grand Slam doubles and mixed-doubles title holder Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
My team!🤩So excited & grateful to be back competing in Charleston while raising money for @MUSChealth frontline healthcare workers! Looking forward to a fun but more importantly safe week w these ladies! Tune in to @TennisChannel to cheer on Team Kindness!! pic.twitter.com/bcrF71kMMA
— Shelby Rogers (@Shelby_Rogers_) June 23, 2020
Besides captain Madison Keys, Team Kindness includes Amanda Anisimova, 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, Leylah Fernandez, 2012-2013 Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, 2016 Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig, Alison Riske and Shelby Rogers.
So happy to be back in Charleston! #TeamPeace ✌🏼 Let’s go girls;)) pic.twitter.com/G7QpcBZOGX
— Sofia Kenin (@SofiaKenin) June 23, 2020
Team Peace includes reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, 2014 Wimbledon finalist Genie Bouchard, Emma Navarro, Caroline Dolehide, Ajla Tomljanovic, Danielle Collins, and Jennifer Brady.
Day 1 of the unique team exhibition event held at the Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island was affected by inclement weather, so only two of four scheduled singles matches completed. Sofia Kenin cruised past Alison Riske 6-1 6-1 to earn a point for Team Peace and Leylah Fernandez won a battle of the youngsters against Emma Navarro 6-4 6-0 to score a point for Team Kindness.
While Novak Djokovic’s recent Adria Tour event spread the coronavirus in the tennis world, as social-distancing measures were completely neglected, ladies at the Credit One Bank Invitational are disciplined and cautious, as even their selfies confirm. No fans or media have been permitted on site, while players are calling their own lines with the assistance of a solo chair umpire.
The tournament will run through Sunday and the ladies will play 16 singles matches and eight doubles matches, with each victory offering points to the winning side.
The Credit One Bank Invitational will resume on Wednesday with Ajla Tomljanovic vs. Shelby Rogers in a non-televised match at 2:00 p.m. EST. The Danielle Collins vs. Amanda Anisimova match will resume on Tennis Channel at 4:00 p.m. EST.
