World’s Highest Paid Female Athlete and Tennis Marathon Man Added to Western & Southern Financial Group Masters and Women’s Open Field

Both Maria Sharapova and John Isner have entered the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters and Women’s Open to be played this summer in Cincinnati.

This year marks the first time Maria Sharapova will play in the Cincinnati event. A three-time major champion and former No. 1 in the world, Sharapova has quietly vaulted back into the Top 20 after a long comeback from injury that saw her ranking drop as low No.126.

In January, Sharapova renewed her contract with Nike in a deal worth $70 million. The agreement is the most lucrative deal ever for a sportswoman.  She has been named the highest paid female athlete by Forbes Magazine each year since 2007. 

Isner gained notoriety during Wimbledon this year for participating in the longest tennis match ever played -- an 11 hour, five minute match during which Isner fired a record-breaking 112 aces. Isner is the second highest ranked American male player at No. 19, behind only Andy Roddick at No. 7. He is one of the tallest players on the tour at 6 feet, 9 inches tall. This will be the fourth appearance for Isner in Cincinnati, with his best finish coming last year in the Round of 32.

"We’re excited to have Sharapova and Isner join some of the strongest fields we’ve ever had in Cincinnati," said Bruce Flory, tournament director. "Both players have the talent to go deep into the draw and we expect them to be playing to record crowds in Cincinnati come August."

The official field for the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters and Women’s Open will be announced July 12 starting at 12 p.m. EDT. For information on the field announcement including live streaming, please e-mail marketing@cincytennis.com.

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