'Star time' coming for FCC

Who will be first? Justine Henin is soaking up her early Bjorn Borg-like retirement and is unavailable this time.

But over the next few weeks, the star power of the 37th Family Circle Cup probably will be unveiled. There's only three possible names that would cause heads to turn — Venus and Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova. Landing even two of those would practically guarantee success for the ninth local version of the Family Circle Cup.

A year ago, two-time Charleston champ Henin and defending champ Jelena Jankovic officially entered the Family Circle on the first Monday of the year, followed by Venus and Serena a week later. That doesn't mean we should look for Serena and possibly Venus in the next few days, even if Serena is the defending champion.

The WTA Tour is in transition to its long-awaited Roadmap 2009, which may push things back a few days. But that's about all. The 2009 WTA calendar officially kicks off today in Brisbane, Australia. The start of the Grand Slam season is only two weeks away.

After taking a break for the holiday season, the Family Circle machinery will crank up this coming week since it's only 96 days before the April 11 start of the million-dollar tournament on Daniel Island. Some of the more immediate decisions to make are dealing with things such as stadium banners.

Which three former Family Circle champions will be given the marquee treatment of having huge 47-foot wide by 40-foot high banners of them hung from the Family Circle Magazine Stadium rafters? One is for sure. Serena Williams' will be the first to go up, probably in a couple of weeks. The banners cost $3,500 each, according to Family Circle communications chief Mike Saia.

The popular Jankovic probably also will be selected for banner treatment, leaving one position open on the three sides of the stadium used for banners. Henin, Venus Williams and Nadia Patrova apparently are the possibilities for that spot. But 2006 champion Petrova may not participate in this Family Circle. She was hospitalized last month with viral meningitis.

C of C event

College of Charleston assistant tennis coach Greg Harkins has announced that the first Campus Match Play One Day Showdown for women and girls is scheduled for Jan. 18 at the Cougars' complex at Patriots Point. The unsanctioned tournament is open to juniors, college players, pros and adults.

Round-robin draws will be used. Entry fees will be only $10 for singles and $5 for doubles, or $15 for both. For information or to register, contact Harkins (425-1626 or harkinsg@cofc.edu).

Notes of interest

--Schools planning to participate in the City of Charleston-sponsored Tri-County Elementary and Middle School Tennis League that starts March 9 are required to be represented at one of three coaches meetings (Jan. 12 at 5 p.m., Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. or Jan. 25 at 3 p.m.) at Charleston Tennis Center on Farmfield Avenue. Contact city tennis director Peggy Bohne (766-7401).

--Ticket packages, business hospitality options and sponsorship opportunities for the Family Circle Cup are available by contacting the Family Circle Cup (856-7900 or www.familycirclecup.com).

--The deadline for forming a league tennis team for the spring is just over a week away, midnight on Jan. 12. The league tennis captains meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the main Charleston County Library on Calhoun Street.

Reach James Beck at jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.