Victoria Azarenka and Elena Rybakina register for the Charleston clay season

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The Credit One Charleston Open announced that Elena Rybakina and Victoria Azarenka have signed up to participate. The 23-year-old Rybakina will play on Charleston’s clay courts for the third time. When Rybakina faced Caty McNally in the first round of the Charleston tournament in 2021, she was forced to leave the game in the middle.

In Charleston last year, Rybakina received a bye in the first round before falling to Anhelina Kalinina in the second round. Azarenka, 33, the opposing player, will be be making her third appearance in Charleston. Azarenka made her Charleston debut in 2008 when she advanced to the round of 16.

When Azarenka previously competed in Charleston in 2010, Christina McHale defeated her in the second round.

The Charleston hosts are excited to welcome Rybakina and Azarenka

The Charleston tournament organizers are overjoyed to have Grand Slam champions Rybakina and Azarenka confirmed for their event.

“The addition of two Grand Slam champions to a field that was already competitive highlights the caliber of play that will be on show at the Credit One Charleston Open in April. Elena just participated in the Australian Open finals and is the reigning Wimbledon champion.

Victoria is a top player who routinely performs well on the tour. She has won two Australian Open championships, advanced to three US Open finals, and most recently participated in the quarterfinals in Melbourne. Bob Moran, the director of the Charleston tournament, was quoted in the tournament’s press release as saying, “We are incredibly proud of the caliber and depth of our player field and are delighted for our fans to see the best in women’s tennis in Charleston.

Rybakina and Azarenka are both now getting ready for the forthcoming WTA 1000 competitions in Indian Wells and Miami. Following the Sunshine Double, Rybakina and Azarenka will remain in the country to begin their clay season in Charleston, which runs from April 03–09. It’s unclear if Rybakina or Azarenka will be able to compete in Charleston this year.