Cincinnati Open restores original name

As it begins its 125th year, one of the world’s longest-tenured tennis tournaments is returning to its original name, Cincinnati Open.

Rebranding the tournament comes shortly after its owner, Beemok Capital, announced the event will remain at the Lindner Family Tennis Center for the next 25 years.

The tournament, which was founded in 1899, is planning for the future with $260 million being invested toward on-site improvements as the event prepares for an expanded player field and increased number of days beginning in 2025.

“Returning to Cincinnati Open as the tournament’s name is an opportunity for us to celebrate its rich history at a time when we are also focused on a bold future and taking every possible step to grow and enhance the event,” said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment.

“This tournament is known for its unparalleled access to the world’s best tennis players, Midwestern hospitality and passionate and loyal fans. The tournament is distinctive in that regard, and we’re proud to call it the Cincinnati Open.”

“In addition to our community partners, Warren County, City of Mason and the State of Ohio, we would like to thank our six cornerstone partners, including Western & Southern Financial Group, Credit One Bank, Procter & Gamble, Great American Insurance Group, Fifth Third Bank and Kroger. Together, these partners will contribute to the growth and development of the tournament and the Cincinnati region, further establishing it as a world-class event and destination.”

When the tournament began in 1899, it was called Cincinnati Open for its first two editions, which were held at the Avondale Athletic Club where Xavier University sits today. Since 2002, the tournament had been called the Western & Southern Open.

Among combined tennis tournaments in the United States, only the US Open is older (founded in 1881). The Cincinnati Open was founded before several other major American sporting events, including the Rose Bowl (1902), Indianapolis 500 (1911) and the Masters (1934).

One of the first major projects at the Cincinnati Open will be a total seating transformation of Center Court, which will involve removing and upgrading each of its nearly 12,000 seats. That project, which will be completed by August, will feature top-of-the-line stadium seats in place of all bleachers, padded bottoms throughout the lower bowl, enhanced premium seat options plus armrests, cupholders and extra legroom for all seats.

The Cincinnati Open is also introducing a new premium seating opportunity, the Baseline Premier Box Seats, featuring oversized seats with groundbreaking climate control, cooling technology as well as built-in mini fridges for water and cold towels.

American teenager Coco Gauff and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic are the reigning women’s and men’s tournament champions. Gauff, 19, became the event’s youngest Open Era champion while Djokovic claimed his third Cincinnati title in an epic three hour, 49 minute win over Carlos Alcaraz in what is the longest three-set final in ATP history. Both Gauff and Djokovic followed up their Cincinnati wins with titles at the US Open just a few weeks later.

More than 194,000 people attended the 2023 tournament, with 13 of 16 sessions selling out. Full Series and multi-day Mini Plan ticket packages for the 2024 tournament will go on sale in February. Already, more than 12,000 people have joined waitlists for those tickets. Single session tickets will be available for purchase in April. Fans interested in tickets are encouraged to join the respective waitlists at the tournament website.

The 2024 Cincinnati Open will be held Sunday, Aug. 11 through Monday, Aug. 19. The dates shift one day later than past tournaments to accommodate players’ schedules following the Olympic Games in Paris.

Each August, Cincinnati hosts the world’s top men’s and women’s tennis talent with ATP Tour and Hologic WTA Tour 1000-level tournaments concurrently, joining Madrid, Miami, Rome and Indian Wells, Calif., as the only cities to hold such events.