Daniela Hantuchova Enters Family Circle Cup
February 16, 2011
2010 Cup Semifinalist Wins Pattaya City on Feb. 13, Enters Charleston Today
CHARLESTON, SC – February 15, 2011 – Daniela Hantuchova, 2010 Family Circle Cup semifinalist, enters Charleston after capturing the fourth WTA title of her career on Sunday, February 13, in Pattaya City, Thailand. Hantuchova joins World No. 5 and defending champion Samantha Stosur, World No. 8 Jelena Jankovic, former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova, and American teen sensation Melanie Oudin in a stellar player field assembling on Daniel Island. Marking the tournament’s 39th consecutive year, the Family Circle Cup is scheduled April 2-10, 2011 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in the Best Tennis Town in America, Charleston, SC.
“Daniela Hantuchova is a very skilled and talented WTA veteran,” said Eleanor Adams, Family Circle Cup Tournament Manager. “We congratulate her for the Pattaya City victory, and we look forward to her competing in Charleston.”
Throughout her 11-year WTA career, which began in 1999, Hantuchova has notched four singles titles, 421 singles victories, over $7.2 million in prize money, and posted eight Top 30 seasons in the last nine years. She has achieved a career-high World No. 5 singles and doubles ranking during her tenure. Hantuchova has also competed on the Slovak Fed Cup Team from 1999-2003, 2006-07 and 2009-2011, as well as and her nation’s Olympic Team in 2004 and 2008.
The 27-year-old’s 2010 season was highlighted by reaching the finals at Monterrey, semifinals at Charleston, San Diego, and Bali, as well as advancing to the third round at the Australian Open and US Open, and the fourth round at Roland Garros. Hantuchova has continued her success into 2011, winning the Pattaya City event on February 13th, and improving her world ranking from No. 32 to No. 29 as of February 14th WTA rankings.
Hantuchova’s philanthropic involvement centers on health and education. In November of 2010, she spent two days at a Hungary photo shoot for a 2011 calendar, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting a children’s hospital in Cambodia that specializes in juvenile HIV treatment, called House of the Smile.
With her international appeal transcending the game, she appeared in the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, alongside fellow WTA stars Maria Kirilenko and Tatiana Golovin, in a pictorial entitled Volley of the Dolls. Hantuchova’s official web site is www.danielahantuchova.com
With a 7-3 singles record and 2-2 doubles record in Charleston, she has accumulated $69,200 in prize money at this event. Hantuchova was the Family Circle Cup’s No. 8 seed in 2010, where she reached the semifinals, No. 5 seed in 2003, where she reached the quarterfinals, and No. 11 seed in 2005, where she reached the 2nd round.
I was really hungry to get another title. I was focused and aggressive from the start. I won the whole tournament in straight sets, which is a good sign, said Hantuchova. I hope to play just as well in Charleston, and take my shot at this historic title.”
Ticket packages, travel packages, individual session tickets, and Game, Set, Rock! Tennis. Amplified. presented by Dove tickets are on-sale now at familycirclecup.com, where fans can also visit for continuous updates on player commitments as the event approaches.
The Family Circle Tennis Center
The Family Circle Tennis Center, home of the Family Circle Cup, is a public facility owned by the City of Charleston and operated by Meredith Corporation that also hosts a variety of additional events including concerts, festivals, tennis tournaments and other activities throughout the year. Charleston, South Carolina bested 81 U.S. cities in being voted the Best Tennis Town in America in the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) 2010 contest. The Family Circle Cup receives four days of live broadcast domestically on ESPN2, and is viewed internationally by over 25 countries, featuring over 140 hours of live and delayed global broadcast time, reaching 4.33 million viewers worldwide. With over 21 million readers, Family Circle is one of the most widely read monthly magazines in America and is one of 14 leading subscription magazines owned by Meredith Corporation. The Tennis Center features a 10,200 seat stadium, Grand Lawn, 17 tennis courts lighted for night play, Pro Shop, and a full service event management staff capable of handling all aspects of an event including ticketing, operations, sales, marketing, public relations, and food & beverage. For tickets or more info, call (843) 856-7900 or visit familycirclecup.com.
