25 Years on Daniel Island

When the Family Circle Cup first arrived on Daniel Island in 2001, it brought with it a new kind of excitement: not just a world‑class tennis tournament, but the idea that Charleston could host something truly global without losing its small‑town charm. Back then, the facility – future home of the Credit One Charleston Open – offered clay courts, walking paths, a clubhouse, and a sense that something big was beginning.  

Bob Moran, the tournament’s longtime director, still remembers those early days. “It was purpose‑built as a home for the professional women’s tennis event – a first of its kind.” 

That sense of purpose has only amplified over the last quarter century. 

The COCO’s evolution mirrors the growth of women’s professional tennis itself: from the first women’s event to offer $100,000 in prize money and national broadcast coverage to the modern era where stars like Serena Williams and current top‑ranked players draw fans from around the world to Daniel Island each spring. The tournament has become a proving ground for rising talent and a tradition for fans, a place where legends return and newcomers make their mark. 

In 2022, the stadium completed a transformation intended to cement its future. 

A $42 million renovation expanded seating from roughly 7,000 to more than 11,000, added 16 climate‑controlled suites, an elevated VIP rooftop restaurant, and a 75,000‑square‑foot Stage House designed to serve both players and performers. It enlarged Credit One to 167,093 square feet. 

For Moran, the changes weren’t just structural; they were cultural. 

“Adding the Stage House building, roof, and permanent suites were the largest changes,” Moran said. “In the past, we used temporary tents and structures to house all of our needs for both tennis and music. The suites are best in class and provide a hospitality option that we never had in the past.” 

Today’s Credit One Stadium is built for flexibility: in April it hosts one of the most celebrated women’s tennis tournaments on the WTA Tour and from late spring through fall it sings with music, bringing big names and new fans into Charleston’s cultural orbit. Concerts may be part of its identity now, but the heart of the venue still beats strongest for tennis. 

What’s changed most isn’t just the size of the crowds or the scale of the production; it’s the story that COCO tells about Charleston itself. Today it’s a cornerstone of the city’s identity: a place where world‑class competition meets community spirit and where the legacy of the game lives alongside new chapters ready to be written. 

“Every year, we look forward to new opportunities,” Moran said. “Our focus is to continue producing the best WTA tennis event in the country.” 

COCO Through the Years 

• 1973: Family Circle Cup begins on Hilton Head 

• 2001: Moves to Daniel Island 

• 2016-21: Volvo Car Open era 

• 2021: Credit One Bank becomes title sponsor 

• 2022: Major renovation completed 

• 2022-25: Multiple WTA 500 Tournament of the Year awards 

• 2026: $2.5M prize milestone