The tournament wasn't played last year, no defending champions were declared. Martina Hingis and Anna Kournikova were the last champions at the 2000 edition, but none competed this year. Eventually, Hingis retired from professional tennis in February 2003,[1][2] while Kournikova played her last professional match in April 2003,[3] losing to Conchita Martínez at Charleston due to an injury.
^O'Brien, John (26 October 2017). "Swiss great Hingis announces retirement". Singapore. Reuters. Retrieved 27 November 2020. Hingis first decided to end her career as a 22-year-old in 2003 due to persistent injuries after picking up all five of her singles crowns as a teenager, comprising three Australian Opens, as well as lone Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles from 1997–99.
^"Martina News (July – December 2003)". Game, Set and Match, Martina! – The Martina Navrátilová Web Site. Retrieved 27 November 2020. November 30, 2003: Martina & Lisa won the Advanta Championships in Philadelphia earlier this month on November 2. Congratulations, Martina & Lisa!