No. 29 Daniela Hantuchova joins 2011 Family Circle Cup

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2010 Family Circle Cup semifinalist, Daniela Hantuchova, has once again entered the Charleston tournament after capturing the fourth WTA title of her career on Sunday, February 13, in Pattaya City, Thailand.

She is ranked World No. 29.

Hantuchova is joining World No. 5 and defending champion Samantha Stosur, World No. 8 Jelena Jankovic, former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova, and American teen sensation Melanie Oudin in the player field assembling on Daniel Island.

Marking the tournament’s 39th consecutive year, the Family Circle Cup is scheduled April 2-10 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in the Best Tennis Town in America.

“Daniela Hantuchova is a very skilled and talented WTA veteran,” said Eleanor Adams, Family Circle Cup Tournament Manager. “We congratulate her for the Pattaya City victory, and we look forward to her competing in Charleston.”

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Throughout her 11-year WTA career, which began in 1999, Hantuchova has notched four singles titles, 421 singles victories, over $7.2 million in prize money, and posted eight Top 30 seasons in the last nine years. She has achieved a career-high World No. 5 singles and doubles ranking during her tenure. Hantuchova has also competed on the Slovak Fed Cup Team from 1999-2003, 2006-07 and 2009-2011, as well as and her nation’s Olympic Team in 2004 and 2008.

The 27-year-old’s 2010 season was highlighted by reaching the finals at Monterrey, semifinals at Charleston, San Diego, and Bali, as well as advancing to the third round at the Australian Open and US Open, and the fourth round at Roland Garros. Hantuchova has continued her success into 2011, winning the Pattaya City event on February 13th, and improving her world ranking from No. 32 to No. 29 as of February 14th WTA rankings. Hantuchova’s philanthropic involvement centers on health and education. In November of 2010, she spent two days at a Hungary photo shoot for a 2011 calendar, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting a children’s hospital in Cambodia that specializes in juvenile HIV treatment, called House of the Smile.

With her international appeal transcending the game, she appeared in the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, alongside fellow WTA stars Maria Kirilenko and Tatiana Golovin, in a pictorial entitled Volley of the Dolls. Hantuchova’s official web site is www.danielahantuchova.com

With a 7-3 singles record and 2-2 doubles record in Charleston, she has accumulated $69,200 in prize money at this event. Hantuchova was the Family Circle Cup’s No. 8 seed in 2010, where she reached the semifinals, No.5 seed in 2003, where she reached the quarterfinals, and No. 11 seed in 2005, where she reached the 2nd round.

"I was really hungry to get another title. I was focused and aggressive from the start. I won the whole tournament in straight sets, which is a good sign," said Hantuchova. "I hope to play just as well in Charleston, and take my shot at this historic title.”

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