MASON, Ohio — The Western and Southern Open tennis tournament will officially stay in Mason for at least another 25 years, the tournament announced on social media on Tuesday.
The announcement comes after debate over whether the tournament would leave Mason in favor of Charlotte.
Next year will mark the 125th anniversary of the tournament. According to the video posted to social media, more than $200 million will be invested in the Mason stadium.
"Your wonderful tournament is staying in Cincinnati," said Novak Djokovic, who won the men's singles championship in 2023, in the video.
The video features Djokovic alongside the 2023 women's singles champion, Coco Gauff.
Our 2023 champions have some exciting news...@wta @atptour @usta @itftennis pic.twitter.com/g8i7nTGgik
— Western & Southern Open (@CincyTennis) October 10, 2023
The tournament was purchased by Beemok Capital last October. The company set up a bidding competition between Greater Cincinnati and Charlotte last May.
On Tuesday, the company issued a press release promising the Western & Southern Open would remain at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason for another 25 years.
The press release says Beemok capital is finalizing its plans to make "significant investments in the facilities and experience."
The tournament featured new additions in 2023, like a new fan zone, new activities and upgraded player areas. According to Beemok Capital, the 2023 tournament "broke records, exceeded expectations and set a new benchmark for success."
The company said its plans for renovations to the Linder Family Tennis Center — and an expansion to the Western & Southern Open tournament — are slated for 2025. When that time comes, Beemok Capital said it plans to expand the tennis tournament from nine to 12 days and expand the single player draw from 56 players to 96 players.
"Charlotte was aggressive in reaching out to us and did a great job of that, but at the end of the day, the local community here really stepped up," said Bob Moran, president of Beemok Sports and Entertainment. "Warren County, City of Mason, the state of Ohio, all contributed to making this happen but really, when it comes down to the end of it, this year's event really pushed our ownership over the edge."
Between the City of Mason, Warren County and the state of Ohio, a clear $130 million has been committed toward renovations to the Lindner Family Tennis Center that were necessary to keeping the tournament in Mason.
"This day has been a long time coming," said Dave Young, Warren County commissioner. "This has been a question for the whole community, for the whole state for nearly a year now and we were in a competitive situation. Charlotte is a great city, they had an unbelievable offer put forward. But ultimately, at the end of the day, this tournament has been here for 124 years."
A press release from the Warren County Board of Commissioners, released less than one hour after the Western & Southern Open posted its video, says commissioners "have adopted a resolution to enter into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Beemok Sports LLC, the City of Mason, Mason Port Authority and Warren County Port Authority" to support the improvements to the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason.
“I am thrilled that the Western & Southern Open recognizes that Mason and Warren County are the best home for this tournament," said State Rep. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) in a press release. "Our tradition and teamwork were key elements in creating the environment for this success. This event adds such an economic boost to our communities, and I stand behind the investment I introducedthat showed our commitment to keeping this in Ohio.”
More than 180,000 visitors from across the country visit the W&S Open each year, with an economic impact of $80 million that will grow to $150 million when the ATP expands the tournament to two weeks in 2025, according to Mathews' office.
After it purchased the tournament, Beemok Capital requested public subsidies from both Cincinnati and Charlotte to cover about a third of its development expenses, which amounted to $400 million for a new stadium in Charlotte and $150 million for an expansion in Mason.
Ohio had its funding in place by July 4, when Governor Mike DeWine signed a budget that included $22.5 million for Mason, which contributed $15 million while Warren County added $10.5 million. That $48 million commitment would cover 32% of the Mason expansion.
North Carolina’s commitment was delayed by budget fights over the expansion of gambling and Medicaid spending.
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