About the Cincinnati Open

Founded in 1899, the Cincinnati Open is an ATP Masters 1000 and a WTA 1000 tournament. The Cincinnati Open annually welcomes nearly 200,000 fans who come from all 50 states and more than 39 countries. The tournament is seen by more than 126 million global viewers in over 192 global markets. Since 1974, the tournament has contributed more than $12 million to various beneficiaries including Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the UC Health Cancer Center and Tennis for City Youth. The Cincinnati Open is held annually at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.

Day seven of the 2021 Western & Southern Open at the Linderer Family Tennis Center in Mason, OH on Sunday August 22, 2021. (Ben Solomon/Western & Southern Open)

History

Before there was a Rose Bowl, before the establishment of the Davis Cup, before baseball’s first World Series, the first Indy 500, and decades before golf’s Masters, the best players in tennis came to Cincinnati, Ohio for a very special tournament.

The Cincinnati Open is the nation’s longest-running professional tennis tournament played in its city of origin. First played in 1899 on the current site of Xavier University, the tournament has been a fixture in the Queen City for more than a century. The champions list reads like a who’s who of tennis greats, with more than 100 International Tennis Hall of Famers having played in Cincinnati over the years.

The comprehensive history of professional tennis in Cincinnati is published each year, packed with facts and statistics about the event. This fantastic resource includes a narrative through the years, photographs and complete player information for the event.


Charity

Over the past decades, the Cincinnati Open has used tennis as a force for good, donating more than $12 million directly to key community beneficiaries.

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Lifetime Contribution: Over $9 Million

The men’s tournament has been played for the benefit of Cincinnati Children’s since 1974. From its inception to 1987, tournament proceeds supported thousands of patients who were served in dermatology, audiology, and ear, nose and throat clinics. From 1987 to the present, funds from the tournament support clinics for patients who have successfully overcome cancer and who require ongoing follow-up visits with pediatric specialists.

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center

Lifetime Contribution: Over $1.5 Million

Since 2004, the tournament has donated money to the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, which has a long-standing reputation for providing the most advanced and complete range of cancer services available in the Cincinnati region. It unique facility offers screening, diagnosis and treatment for all types of cancer at one central, convenient location and has been ranked among “America’s Best Hospitals” by US News and World Report.

Inner City Tennis Project

Lifetime Contribution: Over $1 Million

The Inner City Tennis Project was established in 1986 to provide an affordable tennis experience to children in Greater Cincinnati, with an emphasis on increasing participation of inner city youth. ICTP offers a program that seeks to provide quality instruction along with a nurturing social environment, which will assist children to achieve personal goals both in the sport of tennis and in life. Over 60 participants have received scholarships to Division I and Division II colleges throughout the United States.