Cincinnati Open grander than ever in 2025
Just two years ago, the Cincinnati Open, then known as the Western & Southern Open, almost left town. Now, it's grander than ever.
The 2025 tournament, with the main draw running from August 7 to 18, will feature nearly all of tennis’ top talents, while introducing enhancements to the grounds for players and fans.
Following a $ 260 million investment into the facilities at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, the tournament has expanded to 96-player men’s and women’s singles fields, an increase from 56 in 2024. Talents representing 37 countries will be involved, including 24 from the United States.
“We look forward to welcoming the world’s best tennis stars to compete for the Cincinnati Open title in August,” said Tournament Director Bob Moran in July. “We have received a lot of excitement from the players about coming back to see our transformed campus and experiencing the new player amenities. Players and fans alike will enjoy the re-imagined venue and world-class atmosphere as the sport’s best compete for the title.”
To accommodate the growing field, 10 new practice courts were added near the Grandstand Court. A six-court indoor tennis facility was also created.
A new two-story clubhouse will be available for them, featuring additional amenities for the players, including a lounge and restaurant. Plus, there is more adequate space for support teams, wellness and recovery. The previous edition of this space was converted into a new fitness center and an expanded locker room.
The remodeled campus features 31 courts, 10 more than in 2024, and the new Champions Court, a sunken stadium that accommodates 2,000 spectators. That playing field is the fourth largest of the five permanent stadiums. Additionally, all the courts received a new coat of paint and a fresh colorway.
“We are ushering in a new era at the Cincinnati Open, and the complete transformation of our campus will create an unparalleled experience for our fans and players,” said Moran when The Cincinnati Open announced these updates.
For the fans, a permanent Pavilion was created to provide shade cover. Meanwhile, “park-like” greenery was added across the campus, and all asphalt was replaced with concrete to enhance the aesthetic. Six pickleball and two padel courts were also created for viewers.
To further accommodate spectators, a new entrance was added on the south side of the campus, and the north side entrance has been enhanced. Plus, more parking has been added to the campus.
“The campus transformation will include comprehensive upgrades and improvements, making an enormous impact for many generations to come,” said Kristin Byrd, design director and architect for Gensler, when the updates were revealed.
The 2025 field will include all the healthy top ten players on the ATP and WTA tours. The full draw has yet to be released.
Seven-time Grand Slam winner, Venus Williams, will also participate in the Cincinnati Open. She received a wild card shortly after she became the oldest woman to win a singles match since 2004, defeating Cincinnati native Peyton Stearns at the DC Open. Cincinnati native Caty McNally, who was once ranked No. 11 in the world, was also awarded a wild card.
A look at the top players:
Janik Sinner
As far as favorites go, Janik Sinner will enter as one of them following his 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon. The 23-year-old has held first place in the ATP rankings since June 2024, when he became the first Italian to reach the spot.
Sinner has won 20 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including four Grand Slams. He also won the Cincinnati Open in 2024. With the US Open around the corner, the Italian could tune up his game in Ohio, with a trophy on the line.
Carlos Alcaraz
Meanwhile, Sinner and Alcaraz could renew their rivalry on center court, having split the previous two Grand Slams after facing off in the French Open and Wimbledon finals.
The world No. 2 last competed in the Cincinnati Open in 2023, when he lost to Novak Djokovic in the finals. It became the longest match in tournament history, almost reaching four hours. Alcaraz took a break after Wimbledon when he withdrew from the National Bank Open in Canada.
Taylor Fritz
The highest-ranked American in the competition is Taylor Fritz, who lost 6-4, 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon semifinals. The 27-year-old has yet to win a Grand Slam, but he came close when he reached the 2024 US Open final, where he lost to Sinner.
As Fritz looks to surpass such heights this season, the Cincinnati Open could fuel him with momentum should he produce a strong showing. Despite being unable to conquer a Grand Slam, Fritz’s ATP ranking has surged in the last two years, and he has already won two singles titles this season.
Arya Sabalenka
On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka has held the top spot of the WTA rankings since late 2024. However, the three-time Grand Slam winner has yet to win a major this year.
After falling in the finals of the Australian Open and French Open, Sabalenka fell short at Wimbledon when Amanda Anisimova beat her in the semifinal, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The American, Anisimova, would go on to lose to Iga Świątek in the final, 6-0, 6-0.
Following a 2024 season in which Sabalenka claimed two Grand Slams, the final slam of the season could be a key tournament for her, with the preceding event being the Cincinnati Open.
Iga Swiatek
Świątek, riding the high of her Wimbledon victory, will compete in Montréal before arriving in Mason. However, the event could still be important for the player striving to continue turning around an initially rocky year.
The former world No. 1 struggled to find form for much of the year, but proved how vital the events before Grand Slams could be before Wimbledon. She reached the finals at the Bad Homburg Open on grass before claiming the main prize in London.
Channeling similar energy, the Cincinnati Open could offer similar value for Świątek and others.
Coco Gauff
After being stunned with a Round of 32 exit at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, Gauff returns to the field in Mason after a first-round exit at Wimbledon.
Gauff, who has lost her two most recent matches, might find better form in Canada before arriving in Ohio. But the world No. 2 could still look to salvage momentum in Ohio as she looks to close out an otherwise solid season, in which she won the French Open.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Open grander than ever in 2025
