Expect dirty shoes and epic battles! The clay season is upon us. The WTA tour kicks things off with the Charleston Open, a tournament that has been voted the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year for three consecutive seasons. The action started on March 31st, with big names like Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Daria Kasatkina, Emma Navarro, and Qinwen Zheng fighting for the crown. Nine of the world’s Top 20 players have touched down in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, all chasing the prestigious title on Charleston’s iconic green clay courts. But they’re not just competing for glory. There’s also a hefty prize purse on the line. Let’s find out all the details!

Since its debut in 1973, the prize money at the Charleston Open has grown substantially. It hit a record $1.34 million in 2006. This year, the total purse is back over seven figures, standing at $1,064,510—a 15.38% jump from last year. The winner of the tournament will take home $164,000, which is 15.5% more than what Danielle Collins pocketed when she won the title in 2024.

According to the WTA, here’s how the prize money breaks down for the singles category:

• First round: $6,400
• Second round: $7,975
• Round of 16: $12,900
• Quarterfinals: $25,550
• Semifinals: $51,085
• Finalist: $101,000
• Champion: $164,000

The Charleston Open, officially called the Credit One Charleston Open due to sponsorship, has a unique ownership story. It belongs to none other than Emma Navarro’s billionaire father, Ben Navarro. He not only owns the tournament but also Credit One Bank, the event’s title sponsor. Ben Navarro built his fortune through Sherman Financial Group, a company he founded in 1998 that later expanded into the credit card and debt collection industry. As of April 2025, his net worth stands at $4.3 billion, according to Forbes. His involvement in tennis doesn’t stop at Charleston, he has also invested in other events, including the Cincinnati Open. He even funded a $40 million renovation of Credit One Stadium, ensuring Charleston’s tennis scene stays top-tier.

And now, Emma Navarro’s all set to take the win at her home tournament.

Emma Navarro’s homecoming at Charleston Open

For Emma Navarro, the Charleston Open is more than just another tournament, it’s home. Though born in New York, she grew up in South Carolina and spent much of her childhood on these very courts.

She made her WTA debut at this event back in 2019 as an 18-year-old wildcard. That year, she lost to Laura Siegemund in the first round. Instead of going straight to the pro tour, Emma Navarro took the college route, playing for the University of Virginia. Her decision paid off as she won the 2022 NCAA singles title before transitioning to the professional circuit.

Fast forward to 2025, and the 23-year-old is now ranked No. 11 in the world. At her peak, she reached No. 8 and has already claimed two WTA titles. However, her results in Charleston have been less than stellar, with a modest 2-4 record and just one round-of-16 finish to her name.

This year, she’s determined to change that narrative. In a recent interview, she emphasized staying focused, saying, “I’m still putting a lot of my time and energy into tennis and continuing to improve myself and be the best player I can be. I’m really lucky to have people that are very grounding for me around me. They make me feel like ‘regular Emma,’ I guess.”

The 23-year-old is also looking to bounce back from a tough opening-round loss to Emma Raducanu at the Miami Open. She started strong in Charleston, defeating Hailey Baptiste in straight sets to book her spot in the round of 16. Can Emma Navarro turn her homecoming into a dream run?