Amid Uncertain Future, Western & Southern Offers Record Prizes, Marketing Partners
Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 11:01PM By Barry Janoff
August 5, 2023: Pepsi and Credit One Bank are among the new partners at the 2023 the Western & Southern Open — aka the Cincinnati Open —joining an array of partnerships for this year's tournament, scheduled for Aug. 14-20 (with qualifying matches beginning on Aug. 12) in the Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, OH.
The event, part of the U.S. Open (Aug. 28-Sept. 10) Series, is one of only five global events to host an ATP-WTA Masters 1000 simultaneously, along with Madrid, Miami, Rome, and Indian Wells, Calif.
Players are seeking a record of almost $10 million, including (as of this date) Novak Djokovic, scheduled to play both singles and doubles in his first tennis tournament in the U.S. since 2021.
The Western & Southern Open is due to celebrate its 125th anniversary in Cincinnati next year after debuting in 1899 at the Avondale Athletic Club, now the site of Xavier University. It is considered the oldest tennis tournament in the U.S. still played in its original city.
Last year, the ATP Tour revealed a “OneVision” plan to grow the sport, which working along with the Hologoic WTA Tour includes expanding the Western & Southern Open with more competitors to a 12-day event by 2025.
However, Beemok Capital, which acquired the tournament in 2022 might be moving it to Charlotte, NC, where it has a local office.
The Lindner Family Tennis Center could see $150 million in renovations in addition to those made for this year’s tournament, or could relocate to a $400 million destination — including a $65 million tennis center — to be built in Charlotte, according to industry analysts.
“We’re working urgently, right now, to make sure that we’re ready to entertain everybody this year the best way they’ve been entertained here in Cincinnati,” first-year Western & Southern Open director Todd Martin said during a recent media conference. “But in the long term, there’s big improvements coming.
According to Martin, a former ATP player who had been CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame since 2014 before joining the Western & Southern Open — and was a member of Djokovic’s coaching staff in 2009-10, “The improvements this year and next year are to make sure that everybody knows we’re going dramatically in the right direction so that when we get to the big renovation, people are going to be thrilled.”
The 2023 tournament is offering a record $6.6 million in prize money on the men’s side, a record $2.788 million on the women’s side.
The men’s singles winner will earn $1.019 million, the women’s singles winner $454,500.
As the title sponsor for the 22nd consecutive year, Western & Southern Financial Group said it “reaffirms its commitment to elevate the top-tier ATP and WTA event, solidifying its place as the longest-running active naming rights agreement for a North American professional tennis tournament.”
Local craft brewer Sonder is also among the first-year sponsors.
Pepsi will have on-site presence and activation, as will Credit One Bank, including presenting sponsor of “Finals Weekend” and exclusive sponsor of Tennis Channel’s complete tournament broadcast coverage.
Returning partners include Anheuser-Busch (featuring brands Nütrl vodka seltzer and Stella Artois), Porsche, Rolex, FILA, Emirates, Motorola, Tennis Point, Greenset, IHG Hotels & Resorts, TriHealth, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, JobsOhio, Prasco, Cintas, Rookwood Pottery, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Maestro Dobel Tequila and Kim Crawford.
Most will have a presence in the Western & Southern Fan Zone.
"As one of the premier tournaments in the world, it's not surprising to see an elite field enter for the chance to win the Western & Southern Open."
The initial entry list for the 2023 event features the world's top 41 men and 39 women, including 14 Grand Slam champions, eight current or former world No. 1-ranked players, and 11 past tournament champions.
Wimbledon champions Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova are scheduled to play, as well as finalists Djokovic and Ons Jabeur.
Defending singles champion are Caroline Garcia and Borna Coric,
Seven-time grand slam tournament champion Venus Williams has been granted a wild card entry.
Also in as a wild card is former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, who retired in 2020, had two children, and said earlier this year she would return the Holgoic WTA Tour, with a goal to play in the U.S. Open, the 2024 Australian Open and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Enhanced viewing experiences include new video boards at the south and east stands in Center Court, an entertainment stage, an 80-foot video wall with live matches, a kid zone and several interactive areas with players.
"As one of the premier tournaments in the world, it's not surprising to see an elite field enter for the chance to win the Western & Southern Open," said Martin.
"We look forward to these world class players coming to Cincinnati to write another chapter in this event's rich history while they aspire to win one of the most important events of their season."
Back to Home Page