Family Circle Cup--some final thoughts
The Family Circle Cup, one of only two clay tournaments in the U.S., fell victim this year to the Nasdaq-100 in Miami, which is now compulsory, and the upcoming Fed Cup competition. This did not affect me: I was happy to watch Patty Schnyder, Justine Henin-Hardenne, Nadia Petrova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Sam Stosur, Lisa Raymond, and the other top players at the tournament. I would have liked to have seen Amelie Mauresmo, Martina Hingis, and Kim Clijsters, but the tournament was great nonetheless. There were many who chose not to compete, however, and many who withdrew.
Making the Nasdaq-100 compulsory is going to continue to affect the turnout at both the Family Circle Cup and the Bausch & Lomb tournament on Amelia Island (the other clay tournament), and this is something with which the WTA must deal.
What made the 2006 Family Circle Cup great:
1. Patty Schnyder's upset of Justine Henin-Hardenne in the semifinals
2. Catalina Costano's wonderful play against Nicole Vaidisova, and her charming interview
3. The Bondarenko sisters, especially Alona's 6-0 set against Petrova
4. Nadia Petrova's consistent, clever game
5. The return of JuliaVakulenko as a viable player on the tour
6. Mara Santangelo's skillful tennis
7. The excellent coverage by the Charleston Post and Courier
8. The always-helpful Family Circle Cup staff
9. The assortment of vegetarian items at the food booths
10. Meeting Sam Stosur the morning of the finals
What made it less than great:
1. The presence of a truly obnoxious "emcee" of the Main Lawn events
2. The horrific heat
3. The downsizing of the Bell South eZone
4. Family Circle magazine's promotion of Tyson, one of the most unethical and evil companies in the world
5. The clueless clerks at the Family Circle merchandise tent
6. The absence of falafel at the Greek food booth
7. Another terrible Mariah Carey-wannabe national anthem singer
8. The usual mispronunciation of players' names by the person who is paid to pronounce them
9. The scarcity of player practice sessions
10. Patty Schnyder's loss in the finals
Making the Nasdaq-100 compulsory is going to continue to affect the turnout at both the Family Circle Cup and the Bausch & Lomb tournament on Amelia Island (the other clay tournament), and this is something with which the WTA must deal.
What made the 2006 Family Circle Cup great:
1. Patty Schnyder's upset of Justine Henin-Hardenne in the semifinals
2. Catalina Costano's wonderful play against Nicole Vaidisova, and her charming interview
3. The Bondarenko sisters, especially Alona's 6-0 set against Petrova
4. Nadia Petrova's consistent, clever game
5. The return of JuliaVakulenko as a viable player on the tour
6. Mara Santangelo's skillful tennis
7. The excellent coverage by the Charleston Post and Courier
8. The always-helpful Family Circle Cup staff
9. The assortment of vegetarian items at the food booths
10. Meeting Sam Stosur the morning of the finals
What made it less than great:
1. The presence of a truly obnoxious "emcee" of the Main Lawn events
2. The horrific heat
3. The downsizing of the Bell South eZone
4. Family Circle magazine's promotion of Tyson, one of the most unethical and evil companies in the world
5. The clueless clerks at the Family Circle merchandise tent
6. The absence of falafel at the Greek food booth
7. Another terrible Mariah Carey-wannabe national anthem singer
8. The usual mispronunciation of players' names by the person who is paid to pronounce them
9. The scarcity of player practice sessions
10. Patty Schnyder's loss in the finals
posted by Diane at 6:39 PM
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