The Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio
Featured image credit: WS Open
Cincinnati Masters’ home is to benefit from a $260m upgrade after it was announced the celebrated tennis tournament will stay in Ohio for another 25 years.
The Lindner Family Tennis Center has staged the event – one of just nine on the circuit that feature both men’s and women’s competitions – since it was built in 1979. The 2023 event was attended by 200,000 spectators.
Now the host venue will benefit from a major redevelopment project after owners Beemok Capital announced that the event known officially as the Western & Southern Open — featuring ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournaments — will stay at its Mason, Ohio base and not relocate to Charlotte, North Carolina. The Enquirer newspaper reports that $260m has been pledged to the project, with half coming from Beemok and half from state and local authorities.
2023 champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff shared the news regarding the event’s future in a video posted on YouTube.
In a statement, Beemok said it is finalising plans to make significant investments in the facilities and experience at the venue ahead of the tournament’s expansion in 2025. In 2023, the tournament debuted a new fan zone and upgraded player areas in addition to new food and drink offerings, more entertainment, and a variety of activities to complement the tournament’s field of players.
“The leaders in Charlotte and the state have been incredible partners as we’ve evaluated our options. This was a very difficult decision, and we are deeply appreciative of the time, energy and resources that were invested alongside us,” said Benjamin Navarro, the billionaire tycoon who is Beemok’s leader.
“We have strong ties to the area and will look for ways to invest in the community and local tennis development in the future.”
Expansion
Beemok Capital acquired the tournament in October 2022 from the United States Tennis Association. The tournament’s Cincinnati future was in question after the city council in Charlotte, North Carolina, voted to move forward with a proposed $400m, 40-court tennis complex in hopes of bringing the event to the state.
In 2025, the tournament will expand in size and duration, extending from nine to 12 days and growing the single player draw from 56 to 96 players.
The Lindner Family Tennis Center features four permanent tennis stadia, including the 11,400-seat Center Court.
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