Charleston, SC (February 16, 2011) – World No. 11 Shahar Peer has officially entered the 2011 Family Circle Cup. Peer, whose world ranking has set a new record for a player from Israel, joins World No. 5 and defending champion Samantha Stosur, Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova, Daniela Hantuchova, and 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.
“Shahar Peer is a very talented tennis player who also transcends the game as an Israeli national hero,” said Eleanor Adams, Family Circle Cup Tournament Manager. “She is playing the best tennis of her career, and has a very large and supportive fan base in Charleston, so we really look forward to watching her compete on Daniel Island this April.”
Throughout her 8-year WTA career, Peer has notched five singles titles, 309 singles victories, over $3.7 million in prize money, and posted three Top 20 seasons. She has also competed on the Israeli Fed Cup Team from 2002-2009 and 2011, and her nation’s Olympic Team in 2008.
The 23-year-old’s 2010 season was highlighted by reaching the finals at Hobart, third round at the Australian Open, fourth round at both Roland Garros and the US Open, and setting the Israeli ranking record as the year-end World No. 13 player.
Peer has continued her success into 2011, reaching the third round at the Australian Open, and improving her personal best and Israeli mark to World No. 11 on January 31st.
Her philanthropic involvement centers around the Foundation for the Advancement of Excellent Youth, Peer’s charitable organization designed to assist outstanding youth in Israel. Each year, this foundation supports a number of extremely talented children with the potential to achieve excellence and become successful in their field. Peer’s official web site is www.shaharpeer.co.il.
Peer was the Family Circle Cup’s No. 5 seed in 2007, unseeded in 2005, and despite a 0-2 record in Charleston, she has accumulated $10,530 in prize money at this event.
“I’ve really enjoyed competing at the Family Circle Cup, and I’m excited to return to Charleston this spring,” commented Peer. “I’ve received a lot of fan support at this event, so I’m looking forward to participating in this historic tournament again.”
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