CHARLESTON, S.C./WASHINGTON, March 5, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)

The Credit One Charleston Open has announced its preliminary player field for the upcoming WTA 500 event on green clay. It is highlighted by 10 Top 25 players, three Grand Slam singles champions and four former Charleston champions. The field also features 11 Americans, who are set to compete on Daniel island in the South Carolina Lowcountry from March 28 to April 5.

The world class field for North America’s largest women’s only pro tennis event includes: defending champion and current World No. 5 Jessica Pegula; World No. 6 and  two-time 2025 Grand Slam finalist Amanda Anisimova; World No. 11 and two-time Charleston semifinalist Ekaterina Alexandrova; World No. 12 and 2022 Charleston champion Belinda Bencic; World No. 15, 2025 Australian Open champion and 2019 Charleston champion Madison Keys; World No. 18 Iva Jovic; World No. 20 Diana Shnaider, and World No. 25 and Lowcountry tennis standout Emma Navarro.

This year’s preliminary player field also reflects the strength of American tennis, with 11 U.S. players entered in the main draw, including: Pegula, Anisimova, Keys, Navarro and Jovic, as well as Sofia Kenin, Peyton Stearns, Hailey Baptiste, McCartney Kessler, Caty McNally and Ashlyn Krueger. 

Former champions Keys, Pegula, Bencic and Daria Kasatkina (2017) return to compete for this year’s Charleston title.

 

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“This year’s field reflects the strength and depth of women’s tennis right now,” said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment, in a statement. “With 10 top 25 players confirmed, a strong group of American contenders and athletes representing 20 different countries, the level of competition in Charleston will be incredibly high. From established champions to emerging talent, fans can expect world-class play on the green clay of Credit One Stadium.”

Four additional players, who will join the main draw via wild card entry, will be announced at a later date. To round out the field, six players will earn entry into the main draw via qualifying competition. The nine-day Credit One Charleston Open showcases a singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 24 players, and a doubles draw of 16 players. The tournament, which hosts more than 90,000 attendees on Daniel Island, was recently named the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year for the fourth consecutive year.

“For more than 50 years, the Credit One Charleston Open has been an important part of the clay court season and the growth of women’s professional tennis,” Moran added. “As North America’s largest women’s-only professional tournament, we’ve built a strong tradition of competition and community here in Charleston. We’re grateful to Credit One Bank for its continued support of our players and its commitment to equal prize money. In 2026, we’re excited to award equal prize money for the first time, with total player compensation reaching $2.5 million – an important step for our event and the athletes who compete here each spring.”

Credit One Charleston Open preliminary player field

News & noteworthy

A look at this year’s preliminary player field:

• 10 Top 25 players: Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Belinda Bencic, Madison Keys, Iva Jovic, Diana Shnaider, Elise Mertens, Anna Kalinskaya and Emma Navarro.

• Four Charleston Open champions: Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Belinda Bencic and Daria Kasatkina.

• Three Grand Slam champions: Madison Keys (2025 Australian Open), Jelena Ostapenko (2017 Roland Garros), Sofia Kenin (2020 Australian Open).

• Olympic gold medalist: Belinda Bencic (Tokyo).

• 11 American competitors: Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Iva Jovic, Madison Keys, Emma Navarro, Sofia Kenin, Peyton Stearns, Hailey Baptiste, McCartney Kessler, Caty McNally and Ashlyn Krueger.

• Five 2026 WTA champions: Elisabetta Cocciaretto (Hobart), Sara Bejlek (Abu Dhabi), Jessica Pegula (Dubai), Peyton Stearns (Austin), Cristina Bucsa (Merida).

• Five Grand Slam finalists: Jessica Pegula (2024 US Open), Amanda Anisimova (2025 Wimbledon and US Open), Madison Keys (2017 US Open), Sofia Kenin (2020 Roland Garros), Leylah Fernandez (2021 US Open).