WATCH : Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff team up to make a big announcement

Kevin Palmer
A happy Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff kisses Cincinnati Open trophy

There had been widespread rumours that one of the longest-standing tournaments on the tennis circuit may be about to make a big location move, but Cincinnati have hung on to their big summer event and they have rolled out the big guns to confirm the announcement. 

Rumours suggested the Cincinnati Masters event that takes place shortly before the US Open would be moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.

That would have ended the tournament that has been staged in Cincinnati since 1979, with its position as one of the most prestigious events on the tennis tour confirmed by its star-studded list of former winners.

Confirmation that the event would be staying in Cincinnati came on Tuesday, with organisers getting exclusive messages from 2023 champions Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic to confirm the news.

“Your wonderful tournament is staying in Cincinnati,” Djokovic said at the start of the post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Bob Moran, president of Beemok Sports & Entertainment, told The Enquirer newspaper that $260 million will be invested into improving the Lindner Family Tennis Center, where the tournament has been played for the last 43 years.

“The history is such an important piece of this event,” said Moran said.

“As an organization, we needed to see and feel that event this year and what it was like to operate an event in this market, and it was just overwhelmingly successful and the community really stepped up to welcome us and make us feel how important this is.”

“That was a key component in this process to realize what this means to the Greater Cincinnati community.”

Beemok Capital, the family office of Charleston-based businessman and philanthropist Benjamin Navarro, announced today the decision to keep the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, just outside Cincinnati, for another 25 years.

“The passion and commitment of this community to keep the tournament here was an undeniable factor in our decision to stay,” Navarro said.

“The city of Mason, Warren County, the state of Ohio and multiple corporate entities demonstrated their unwavering support for the tennis tournament. This tournament and its history are special. We’re excited to add to its legacy and create a world-class tennis experience for players and fans.

“The leaders in Charlotte and the state have been incredible partners as we’ve evaluated our options. This was a very difficult decision, and we are deeply appreciative of the time, energy and resources that were invested alongside us.

“We have strong ties to the area and will look for ways to invest in the community and local tennis development in the future.”

There are plans for the event will move from a 56-player draw to a 96-player draw in 2025, with the facilities at Cincinnati equipped to deal with that increase in participation.

This will also mean the event becomes a two-week event, including qualifying, and it will feel like the fifth major on the tennis calendar.

The Cincinnati event is the only tournament outside of the four Grand Slams that has three stadium courts, with the new deal ensuring the game’s top players will be adding Cincinnati to their travel schedules for the next quarter of a century.

Related Articles