Cincinnati Open

 ( Grand Prix Tennis Circuit ) 

The Cincinnati Open is an annual professional tennis event held in Cincinnati, United States. It is played on outdoor at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, and is held in August. The event started on September 18, 1899, and is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States still played in (or near) its original city. From Club Court to Center Court by Phillip S. Smith, page 3 (2008 Edition; ). It also is the third largest tennis event in the United States, after the US Open and the Indian Wells Open. It is one of the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments on the ATP Tour, and one of the WTA 1000 tournaments on the WTA Tour.

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History The tournament was started in 1899 as the Cincinnati Open and was renamed in 1901 to Tri-State Tennis Tournament, a name it would keep until 1969 (it would later be known by several other names, including ATP Championships), and would eventually grow into the tournament now held in Mason. Follow the Bouncing Ball, citybeat.com, August 2, 2001. The original tournament was held at the Avondale Athletic Club, which sat on property that is now Xavier University, and would later be moved to various locations due to changes in tournament management and surfaces. The first tournament in 1899 was played on (described in a newspaper article of the time as "crushed brick dust"), and the event was mostly played on clay until 1979 when it switched to hardcourts.

In 1903, the tournament was moved to the Cincinnati Tennis Club, where it was primarily held until 1972. In 1974, the tournament was nearly dropped from the tennis calendar but moved at the last moment to the Cincinnati Convention Center, where it was played indoors and, for the first time since 1919, without a women's draw. In 1975, the tournament moved to the Coney Island amusement park on the Ohio River, and the tournament began to gain momentum again.

In 1979 the tournament moved to Mason where a permanent stadium was built and the surface was changed from Har-Tru clay to hardcourt (DecoTurf II.). Later, two other permanent stadia were constructed, making Cincinnati the only tennis tournament outside the four Grand Slam events with three stadium courts – Center Court, Grandstand Court and Court 3. A new Court 3 was built in 2010, increasing the number of stadium courts to four, with the existing Court 3 renamed Court 9. The women's competition was reinstated in 1988 for one year, and then again in 2004 when the organizers, with the help of the Octagon sports agency, bought the Croatian Bol Ladies Open and moved it to Cincinnati.

Between 1981 and 1989 it was a major tournament on the men's Grand Prix Tennis Tour and part of the Grand Prix Super Series.

In August 2008, the men's tournament was sold to the United States Tennis Association, the owners of the US Open.

In 2002, the tournament was sponsored for the first time by Western & Southern Financial Group, with the company continuing its sponsorship until at least 2016. In 2011 the men's and women's tournaments were played in the same week, and the name changed from the "Western & Southern Financial Group Masters and Women's Open" to the "Western & Southern Open".

In 2022, the tournament was sold by the USTA to Ben Navarro's Beemok Capital; in 2023, the tournament proposed an additional $22.5 million in state funding to help cover a proposed $150 million expansion to the Lindner Family Tennis Center, which included plans for the Cincinnati Open to expand to a 12-day format with a 96-player draw (joining the Indian Wells Open, Madrid Open, and Miami Open) and add additional programming. In May 2023, rumors emerged that Beemok was considering relocating the tournament to a proposed $400 million tennis complex in Charlotte, North Carolina. Beemok denied that relocation was being considered, stating, "We've had productive conversations with state and local representatives in Mason and the surrounding area and have made considerable efforts to develop a potential master plan to expand the event in its current location." In June 2023, the city proposed a $15 million commitment and other economic incentives to keep the tournament in Mason, while State Senator Steve Wilson proposed a $25 million contribution and a $1 billion "super-capital improvement fund" for a state budget proposal.

In October 2023, Beemok announced that the tournament would remain in Mason and expand to a 12-day format for 2025, with both draws expanding from 56 to 96 players. With the changes, Western & Southern exited its title sponsorship agreement, and the tournament returned to the "Cincinnati Open" name. The tournament also changed its sponsorship model to incorporate six "cornerstone" sponsors—including Western & Southern, Credit One Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Great American Insurance Group, Kroger, and Procter & Gamble—which would have activations and branding across the tournament.

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Paul M. Flory In 1975, the tournament reins were taken by Paul M. Flory, then an executive with Procter & Gamble. During his tenure, the tournament enriched its considerable heritage while donating millions of dollars to charity: to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Tennis for City Youth (a program to teach tennis to inner-city children), and to The Charles M. Barrett Cancer Center at University Hospital. Flory was honored with the ATP's Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award, enshrinement in the USTA/Midwest Hall of Fame and the Cincinnati Tennis Hall of Fame, and was named one of the Great Living Cincinnatians by the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. Flory began his involvement as a volunteer with the tournament in the late 1960s and remained a volunteer until the end, never accepting a salary. Flory, who was born on May 31, 1922, died on January 31, 2013, remaining tournament chairman until his final day.

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Venue The tournament is played at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, located in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason, Ohio. It features a total of 31 courts, including five permanent stadiums – Center Court, Grandstand Court, Champions Court, Stadium 3, and Court 10. It is among a few venues (e.g. the Madrid Open) other than Grand Slams with more than two permanent stadiums.

11,600

5,000

2,300

4,000

2,000

In 2009, the tennis tournament announced a $10 million upgrade to the facility, including the construction of a West Building to add space for players, media and fans. The new building, which opened in mid-2010 and is named the Paul M. Flory Player Center, is approximately twice as high as the previous West Building, rising above ground level and above the court level.

In 2010, the tournament announced plans to expand the grounds by more than 40% and add six new courts. One of those courts is Court 3, which serves as the third television court, while another court has seating for 2,500. A new ticket office, entry plaza, food court and exhibit areas also were added.

In June 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament temporarily relocated to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City to reduce unnecessary player travel by centralizing the tournament and the U.S. Open at one venue.

The venue hosts additional events including the Atlantic 10 Conference Tennis Championships, the Ohio Athletic Conference Tennis Championships, and both the boys' and girls' OHSAA state tennis championships, and has hosted an Association of Volleyball Professionals event, concerts, charitable events, and numerous regional and national junior tennis events.

Because of intentional design choices for the Lindner Family Tennis Center, the Cincinnati Open is known as one of the more intimate environments for player-fan interaction. The layout of the facility promotes fan interaction as players walk from court to court among the fans, and the tournament publicizes player practice times on the numerous courts.

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Past finals

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Men's singles

8–6, 6–1, 10–8
6–2 6–4 6–2
2–6, 8–6, 6–4, 7–5
3–6, 6–8, 6–4, 6–1, 6–2
11–9, 4–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–4
7–5, 6–0, 6–3
6–3, 7–5, 4–6, 7–9, 6–3
6–4, 6–4, 4–6, 4–6, 6–2
8–6, 6–8, 6–2, 6–0
6–0, 7–5, 6–4
6–3, 3–6, 6–0, 1–6, 6–3
11–9, 6–3, 6–4
14–12, 6–4, 8–6
6–1, 6–2, 7–5
default
6–4, 1–6, 6–4, 6–2
6–4, 6–3, 6–3
default
4–6, 6–4, 6–1, 6–2
Tournament suspended due to World War I
2–6, 6–4, 6–1, 6–4
8–10, 6–3, 6–3, 6–4
Tournament suspended
6–3, 6–1, 6–1
6–3, 6–3, 6–2
2–6, 13–11, 6–4, 6–3
6–3, 7–5, 6–1
4–6, 6–3, 7–9, 6–4, 6–3
6–4, 6–4, 6–2
2–6, 6–1, 6–4, 6–4
2–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–1
6–2, 6–4, 3–6, 2–6, 6–1
6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3
5–7, 6–2, 4–6, 6–0, 6–3
11–9, 6–2, 1–6, 7–5
6–3, 6–2, 4–6, 6–4
Tournament suspended due to the Great Depression
6–1, 6–3, 6–1
6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 6–3
6–1, 7–5, 6–3
4–6, 6–3, 6–1, 2–6, 6–4
11–9, 6–2, 4–6, 6–8, 6–1
6–2, 6–2, 6–4
1–6, 6–2, 6–4, 12–10
6–1, 6–2, 6–3
9–11, 6–2, 7–5, 2–6, 7–5
6–2, 7–9, 6–2
6–1, 6–1
6–1, 6–0, 6–0
7–5, 11–9, 2–6, 6–8, 6–4
6–4, 6–8, 6–4, 6–0
6–2, 4–6, 6–1, 6–1
5–7, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4
6–4, 0–6, 2–0 ret.
10–8, 6–3, 6–4
8–6, 6–1, 6–1
7–9, 11–9, 6–4
6–0, 6–3, 6–3
6–4, 7–5, 6–4
7–5, 6–3, 6–2
1–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–3
4–6, 9–7, 6–4
3–6, 8–6, 6–2, 6–1
1–6, 6–2, 6–2, 6–3
6–1, 6–3, 7–5
6–1, 6–3, 6–1
1–6, 6–3, 6–3, 9–7
7–5, 3–6, 0–6, 6–1, 6–2
8–6, 6–1
3–6, 6–2, 6–2
6–1, 6–2
↓  Grand Prix circuit  ↓
7–9, 9–7, 8–6
7–6, 6–3
6–3, 6–3
5–7, 6–3, 6–4
7–6(8–6), 7–6(7–5)
7–5, 2–6, 6–4
7–6, 6–3
6–2, 6–3
5–7, 6–3, 6–2
1979	Peter Fleming (1/1)|| Roscoe Tanner |6–4, 6–2
7–6, 6–3
↓  Grand Prix Super Series  ↓
6–3, 6–4
6–2, 7–6(9–7)
6–4, 6–4
7–6(7–4), 6–3
6–4, 6–2
6–4, 6–1
6–4, 6–1
3–6, 7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–5)
6–4, 2–6, 7–6(7–5)
↓  ATP Masters 1000  ↓
6–1, 6–1
2–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–4
6–3, 3–6, 6–3
7–5, 0–6, 6–4
6–2, 7–5
7–5, 6–2
7–6(7–4), 6–4
6–3, 6–4
1–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–4
7–6(9–7), 6–3
7–6(7–5), 6–4
6–1, 6–3
7–5, 7–6(7–5)
4–6, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–4)
6–3, 3–6, 6–2
6–3, 7–5
6–3, 6–4
6–1, 6–4
7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–5)
6–1, 7–5
6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–1), 6–4
6–4, 3–0 ret.
6–0, 7–6(9–7)
7–6(10–8), 7–6(7–3)
6–3, 1–6, 6–2
7–6(7–1), 6–3
6–4, 7–5
6–3, 7–5
6–4, 6–4
7–6(7–3), 6–4
1–6, 6–3, 6–4
6–2, 6–3
7–6(7–0), 6–2
5–7, 7–6(9–7), 7–6(7–4)
7–6(7–4), 6–2
5–0 ret.

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Women's singles

7–5, 6–1, 4–6, 8–6
6–4, 6–8, 6–2, 6–3
6–2, 8–6, 6–1
6–2, 6–1
6–1, 5–7, 6–4
7–5, 6–3
6–0, 6–0
7–5, 6–2
6–1, 6–1
4–6, 8–6, 6–2
6–3, 6–1
4–6, 8–6, 6–0
6–0, 6–2
default
6–2, 6–3
7–5, 5–7, 6–2
6–0, 6–4
6–2, 2–6, 6–1
7–5, 0–6, 6–4
not contested
			1919
6–1, 6–0
Tournament suspended
6–3, 6–4
6–0, 7–5
6–4, 6–2
6–3, 6–2
6–2, 6–2
6–4, 4–6, 4–1 ret.
6–4, 6–4
6–2, 6–3
6–2, 6–4
6–1, 6–1
6–1, 6–0
6–4, 6–4
default
Tournament suspended due to the Great Depression
6–4, 6–3
6–3, 6–2
8–6, 1–6, 6–0
6–2, 6–3
6–3, 6–4
6–4, 6–3
6–4, 6–1
6–0, 6–2
7–5, 6–4
6–2, 6–0
6–4, 6–1
9–7, 6–2
6–4, 6–4
6–4, 2–6, 6–0
5–7, 6–3, 9–7
6–3, 6–4
6–0, 6–1
7–5, 6–2
6–1, 6–3
6–4, 6–3
7–5, 6–1
7–5, 2–6, 7–5
6–1, 6–2
5–7, 6–2, 6–4
6–2, 4–6, 6–3
3–6, 12–10, 7–5
6–4, 6–4
7–5, 6–2
6–1, 6–2
10–8, 5–7, 6–4
6–3, 6–3
6–4, 6–1
6–1, 6–2
1–6, 7–5, 10–10 ret.
6–3, 6–3
6–3, 6–3
3–6, 6–2, 7–5
6–2, 7–5
not held
6–2, 6–2
not held
6–3, 6–2
6–4, 6–0
6–2, 6–4
6–1, 6–3
6–2, 6–1
6–4, 6–2
2–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–2
4–6, 7–6(7–3), 6–3
1–6, 6–3, 6–1
2–6, 6–2, 7–6(8–6)
6–4, 6–1
6–3, 7–6(7–5)
6–3, 6–1
6–1, 6–0
2–6, 7–6(8–6), 6–2
7–5, 7–6(7–5)
walkover
6–3, 6–1
6–2, 6–4
6–3, 6–4
6–3, 7–5
7–5, 6–4

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Men's doubles (Open era)

6–3, 6–4

↓  Grand Prix circuit  ↓

6–3, 6–4

6–4, 6–4

7–6, 6–4

1–6, 7–6, 7–6

4–6, 7–6, 6–2

7–6, 6–4

6–1, 6–1

6–3, 7–6

6–3, 6–3

1–6, 6–3, 7–6

6–7, 7–5, 6–4

7–6, 6–3

6–2, 6–3

6–4, 6–3

4–6, 6–3, 7–6

4–6, 6–2, 6–3

6–3, 6–4

7–5, 6–3

6–2, 6–4

6–4, 6–4

↓  ATP Masters 1000  ↓

7–6, 6–2

6–7, 6–4, 7–5

6–3, 1–6, 6–3

7–6, 6–4

6–7, 6–3, 6–2

6–2, 3–0 ret.

3–6, 6–3, 6–4

7–6, 4–6, 6–4

6–1, 2–1 ret.

6–3, 7–6(8–6)

7–6(8–6), 6–4

7–6(7–3), 6–3

7–5, 6–3

7–5, 7–6(7–5)

6–2, 3–6, 6–3

7–6(7–3), 6–2

3–6, 6–3, 10–7

4–6, 6–3, 13–11

4–6, 7–6(7–2), 10–7

3–6, 7–6(7–2), 15–13

6–3, 6–4

7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–2)

6–4, 6–4

6–4, 4–6, 10–4

6–3, 6–2

6–2, 6–2

7–6(7–5), 6–7(5–7), 10–6

7–6(8–6), 6–4

4–6, 6–3, 10–6

4–6, 6–4, 10–6

6–2, 7–5

7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–5)

7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–5)

3–6, 6–1, 11–9

6–2, 6–4

4–6, 6–3, 10–5

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Women's doubles (Open era)

6–3, 9–7

12–10, 6–1

6–4, 6–4

6–4, 6–1

7–6, 3–6, 6–2

not held

4–6, 7–6(11–9), 6–1

not held

7–5, 7–6(7–2)

3–6, 6–2, 6–4

6–4, 3–6, 6–2

7–6(7–4), 7–5

6–3, 4–6, 10–8

6–3, 0–6, 10–2

7–6(7–4), 7–6(10–8)

6–4, 3–6, 11–9

6–1, 6–3

2–6, 6–3, 12–10

6–1, 2–0 ret.

7–5, 6–4

7–5, 6–4

4–6, 6–4, 10–7

6–2, 7–5

6–4, 6–1

6–1, 4–6, 10–4

7–5, 6–3

7–6(7–5), 6–3

6–7(1–7), 6–4, 10–6

3–6, 6–1, 10–4

6–4, 6–3

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Records

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Men's singles Roger Federer has won the most Cincinnati Open titles, and out of eight finals, he possesses seven titles; his last being won in 2015, defeating future three-time champion Novak Djokovic in the final. It was at this tournament, in 2018, that Djokovic became the first player to win the Golden Masters (winning all 9 ATP 1000 tournaments). Djokovic then completed this again in 2020 for the double Golden Masters.

Novak Djokovic

Beals Wright

Robert LeRoy

Bobby Riggs

Bobby Riggs

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Women's singles

Clara Louise Zinke

Ruth Sanders Cordes

Clara Louise Zinke

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Men's doubles

Bob Bryan

Mike Bryan

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Women's doubles

Clara Louise Zinke

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Overall records

• Overall records include combined totals of singles and doubles events:

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External links

• Official tournament website
• The Cincinnati Enquirers Special Section on the Tournament's 100th Anniversary (1999)
• Cincinnati Enquirer Article on Paul Flory (1999)
• Facts on Paul Flory from Cincinnati Enquirer Article (1999)
• Cincinnati Enquirer Article on The 25 Best Matches Of The Tournament's First 25 Years in Mason (August 6, 2004)
• Cincinnati’s Open - Episode 1 (Documentary Film)

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