Credit One Stadium and grounds sparkle with flowers, music and food
The grounds are warming up and the setting remains in a league all of its own. It’s the site of the Credit One Charleston Open, nicknamed COCO.
The WTA 500 tournament, won by American and current No. 3 Jessica Pegula, concentrates on presenting lush grounds that were apparent even though they were filled to near capacity with fans. Flowers seemed to be everywhere, a spectacular look for a professional tennis event.
Sitting on Daniel Island, the site’s landscaping is breathtaking. A team of horticultural volunteers regularly water and tend the flower beds and plants throughout the nine-day competition. As explained on the tournament website, “Keeping our grounds ‘beautiful’ is the goal!”
Scenes from the 2025 Credit One Charleston Open with champion Jessica Pegula, left, and singer Lauren Hall.
During the event that ran from March 29 through April 6, there are lots of food options, with food trucks aplenty all over the grounds. Signature cocktails included.
On Wednesday, fans were treated to the big voice of 25-year-old singer Lauren Hall who has won numerous local awards. A week-long lineup of talented singers and musicians entertained the crowds in the large pavilion beside Credit One Stadium
The stadium is its own wonder, sitting just a short distance away from the playlands of flowers, entertainment, food and games. The venue doesn’t just call tennis home. The big stars of the country music world and others bring their shows to the stadium regularly. The 2025 season schedule runs from late April to late September with acts like Keith Urban, Blink 182 and Alison Krauss and Union Station. .
Flowers adorn the walkways around the Grand Pavilion.
The huge, fully covered Grand Lawn pavilion is the place to relax for many fans. The pavilion seats at least 100 and draws spectators watching the action on the big screen.
Walk east down the Grand Lawn to the Althea Gibson Club Court, a stadium onto itself. This court provides an intimate feel. It underwent major improvements with additional stands and tip-down seats in 2024.
Court No. 3 is nearby and has covered seats on one side, with a large bleacher seating area on the other side. Not a bad seat to catch matches.
USTA South Carolina members make a big effort to keep everyone involved and happy as they engage kids and adults in tennis games and instruction in the USTA PlayTennis! Fan Zone. Spectators were asked what “Tennis Is” means to them and were recorded by the USTA South Carolina staff.
USTA South Carolina CEO Jen Gregg remarked, “The Credit One Charleston Open is a fantastic opportunity to showcase South Carolina on the international stage, highlighting the excitement and passion surrounding tennis. This weeklong event allows us to connect with 4,000+ USTA members and interact with 22,000 tennis fans. We have a great partnership with the event and the staff.”
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James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award for print media. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.
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