Justine Henin, Jelena Jankovic Commit to 2008 Family Circle Cup
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Jan 7, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark
The Family Circle Cup in Charleston, South Carolina has announced on Monday that world No. 1 Justine Henin and defending champion Jelena Jankovic have both committed to compete in April’s tournament.
For over three decades, this tournament has set the standard for excellence in the sport of women’s professional tennis.
Making her fourth appearance in Charleston, Justine Henin is a two-time Family Circle Cup champion and holds seven Grand Slam titles. Defending champion Jelena Jankovic will be returning for her fifth appearance at the Cup and has rapidly ascended the WTA Tour rankings after claiming this prestigious trophy in 2007.
The Family Circle Cup, America’s only Tier I clay court event, is celebrating its 35th anniversary April 12th - 20th, 2008 at the Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC.
“Both of these superstars are Family Circle Cup champions, at the pinnacle of their careers, and on top of the sport,” commented Robin Reynolds, Family Circle Cup Tournament Director.
“Justine and Jelena are fierce competitors as well as fan-favorites. What better way to kick off our 35th anniversary than to announce these two great champions returning to Charleston.”
Firmly on top of the women’s game for the past two years, Justine Henin enjoyed a spectacular 2007 season where she boasted a 63-4 singles record (.940 winning percentage) and claimed 10 titles in only 14 events that included her third consecutive French Open crown, second US Open victory, and second consecutive Sony Ericsson Championship title.
Justine Henin won her first US title at the 2003 Family Circle Cup winning this event in her first appearance. She recaptured this important title as an unseeded player in 2005 and received the Family Circle Cup “Player Who Makes a Difference” award that same year for her charitable efforts off-court. After reaching the semifinals in Charleston during the 2006 Family Circle Cup, Henin now holds an impressive 14-1 record in this event.
Jelena Jankovic enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2007 where the 22 year-old Serbian standout notched her first Top 10 finish highlighted by four titles including her first Tier I championship in Charleston and her second in Rome.
As defending champion of the Family Circle Cup, Jankovic holds a 6-3 record in Charleston. Garnering many awards and accolades in 2007 including the WTA Tour’s “ACES Award” for her off-court contributions, Jankovic was named the “Female Tennis Player of the Year” in Serbia and was chosen as a UNICEF National Ambassador to her home nation.
The 2008 Family Circle Cup will be held April 12th - 20th at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, South Carolina.
For more information on the Family Circle Cup, please visit www.familycirclecup.com.
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