Scheduled to commence on March 30th, the 54th Charleston Open marks the inaugural WTA 500 clay-court event of the 2026 season. Unique on the professional tennis circuit, this tournament is played exclusively on green clay and is hosted at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, South Carolina, located on Daniel Island.
The competitive lineup will feature reigning champion Jessica Pegula and fellow countrywoman Amanda Anisimova, who are currently the only Top 10 players confirmed. Former Grand Slam winners Madison Keys and Jelena Ostapenko will also compete in what promises to be a robust field. Moreover, tournament organizers have proactively announced the four athletes granted wild card entries.
Charleston Open: Four Wild Card Entries Confirmed
Canadian Bianca Andreescu has been awarded the first wild card. The 2019 US Open champion will make her debut at this tournament in 2026, having never competed here before. Andreescu enters with a strong 8-1 record from nine clay-court matches played at the ITF level this season.
World No. 100 Paula Badosa from Spain will also receive a main draw wild card. Badosa has faced significant challenges with injuries and mental health, which saw her ranking fall to its lowest point in seven years recently. A past semifinalist at the Charleston Open, she was eliminated in the second round during her most recent participation two seasons prior.
Sloane Stephens, who claimed the Charleston title exactly ten years ago, will return in 2026 as a wild card entrant. The 33-year-old’s ranking has recently slipped outside the Top 500, and she has secured only one main draw victory this season.
The final wild card spot goes to American Jennifer Brady, who recently returned to competition in January after a lengthy absence. Despite two previous appearances in Charleston, Brady has yet to win a main draw match at this event.
