Western & Southern Open Remaining In Ohio, Won’t Shift To North Carolina

The Western & Southern Open will remain in Mason, Ohio and won’t move to North Carolina beginning in 2025.

The tournament, which has been played in Cincinnati since 1899 and is the biggest lead-up to the U.S. Open each summer, announced the news on social media Tuesday morning.

Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic, who won singles titles at the event this past summer, made the announcement in the video.

“Your wonderful tournament is staying in Cincinnati,” said Djokovic, who went on to win a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open in New York.

“And it’s going to be bigger and better forever,” added Gauff, who won her first major title at the Open.

In the video, the tournament said over $200 million in investments are coming to the Linder Family Tennis Center and, beginning in 2025, the tournament will expand to two weeks of competition for both men and women, with the draws expanding to 96 players from 56.

Warren County commissioner Dave Young told WLWT that $50 million is coming from the state, $50 million is coming from the county and $30 million is coming from Mason.

In July, Mecklenburg County in North Carolina approved $30 million — on top of the $65 million already approved by the city of Charlotte — in a bid to host the tournament.

“The passion and commitment of this community to keep the tournament here was an undeniable factor in our decision to stay,” said Charleston-based businessman and philanthropist Benjamin Navarro of Beemok Capital.

“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.”