Greater Cincinnati Keeps its Historic Tennis Tournament

One of the oldest and most prestigious events in professional tennis is staying in Greater Cincinnati.

Beemok Capital, owner of the Western & Southern Open, announced in October that the popular event will remain at Mason’s Lindner Family Tennis Center for another 25 years. The announcement means that the nation’s oldest tennis tournament still played in its original city is set to remain in the metro area it has called home since 1899.

“They saw the enthusiasm, the local volunteer force, the way the players like it, the ambiance of Cincinnati,” said John Barrett, chairman, president and CEO of Western & Southern Financial Group. “I think when they saw what they bought and fully appreciated it, they wanted to enhance and grow it.”

Beemok, which acquired the tournament in October 2022 from the United States Tennis Association, had explored relocating the event before ultimately deciding to keep it in its longtime home.

“The passion and commitment of this community to keep the tournament here was an undeniable factor in our decision to stay,” said Ben Navarro, founder of Beemok Captial. “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 tournament is an ATP Masters 1000 and a WTA 1000 event, making it one of the world’s nine biggest tournaments where both men and women compete at the same time. Next year will be the tournament 125th year in Greater Cincinnati.

“Leaders across our community − business, political, civic, charitable − came together to make this wonderful news possible,” Barrett added. “The collaboration is a model for other public-private partnerships. So much was accomplished because it was now or never. So many people subordinated their personal interests to the common good to effect this outcome.”

Beemok Capital is finalizing plans to make significant investments in the tournament’s facilities and experience. A new fan zone, upgraded player areas and new food and drink offerings highlighted a long list of enhancements to the 2023 event, which drew more than 194,000 guests. But with tournament expansion set for 2025 – extending from 12 days and growing the singles draw from 56 to 96 players – Beemok says that more expansion and enhancements are on the way.