The Volvo Car Open is now locally owned, as Charleston native Ben Navarro has bought the tournament.
Cue … nearly every other tournament envying the event for having a local billionaire who serendipitously happens to be a huge tennis supporter.
Formerly the Family Circle Cup, it is the oldest women-only event on Tour.
Since 2017, Moorad Sports Partners held majority ownership. The other 30 per cent remained with Meredith Corp. (which bought Family Circle magazine – and the tournament – in 2005).
Navarro also owns a tennis club. Daughter Emma, 17, won a Grade 2 ITF junior event in Montreal this week.