Andrew Krasny returns as the voice of the VCO
Once again Andrew Krasny is bringing his engaging emcee style to the Volvo Car Open. Krasny has been the voice and face of the tournament since 2013, back when it was still known as the Family Circle Cup. In that time he has become a welcome fixture at the Daniel Island-based VCO, entertaining both fans and players during the nine-day WTA event.
Krasny got his start in the entertainment industry answering fan mail for the late comedienne Joan Rivers. He went on to produce and write material for the woman he affectionately refers to as “his second mom.” Krasny credits the legendary star with giving him the courage to pursue his tennis passion.
Krasny worked a variety of television jobs, including warming up TV audiences before finding his true calling during a tennis tournament at UCLA. While watching a man in his eighties trying to engage the crowd rather unsuccessfully, an idea was born. Krasny knew by combining his love of tennis with his talent for entertaining crowds he could create a niche for himself in the tennis entertainment business. Most broadcasting jobs in tennis are held by previous professionals.
“I love hosting but I wasn’t a former player, so I found a way to harness my energy and passion and turn it into a full-time career,” said Krasny.
Krasny was hosting a dating show while simultaneously writing and producing for Joan Rivers when he decided to follow his passion. With River’s blessing and a paid week off, he volunteered to emcee a tennis tournament at UCLA and the rest, as they say, is history. One tournament turned into another, then another and the tennis enthusiast transitioned into a tennis entertainment professional.
Since that pivotal decision, the lifelong tennis fan has been living out his dream traveling the world commentating and announcing at numerous tennis tournaments. Krasny’s friendly and funny style in post-match interviews puts players at ease and he’s developed friendships with many of the players over the years.
For Krasny, the return to Daniel Island is a love match between him and the fans. Krasny places Charleston tennis fanatics in a league of their own.
“Charleston fans have a deep respect and passion for the history of our sport,” he added. “Combine that with Southern hospitality, it makes Charleston fans very unique.”
From the beginning, working the tournament was a perfect match for the affable emcee. Krasny has tremendous admiration and respect for VCO Tournament Director Bob Moran and Tournament Manager Eleanor Adams. For Krasny they are both more like family than a job.
Adams even picked him up from the airport at midnight the very first time he emceed the DI tournament. Krasny feels Moran “personifies Southern hospitality” and says, “there isn’t anyone better than Bob to steer the ship that is the Volvo Car Open.”
It’s easy to see why Krasny is an audience and player favorite, with his humor and personable nature he continually puts everything on the line for his job. He sums up his mission quite simply, “My job isn’t about me. It’s about two things — the players and the fans.”