Tennis Returns to Cincinnati

Lindner Family Tennis Center

The Queen City is about to become the center of the tennis universe.

It began in 1899 when the Avondale Athletic Club hosted a tennis tournament called the Cincinnati Open. The top men and women in the sport congregated at the site, now known as Xavier University, to compete for the inaugural title. Nat Emerson defeated Dudley Sutphin to claim the men’s title, while Myrlte McAteer defeated Juliette Atkinson to claim the women’s title.

Fast-forward 119 years and the tournament has changed quite a bit. The United States Tennis Association now runs the tournament at its home since 1979 in Mason, Ohio, at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. In 1899, the tournament was held on clay courts, made up of what was described as “brick dust.” When the tournament moved in 1979, the switch was made from clay to hardcourts; a court based in concrete or asphalt topped with an acrylic surface. 

The other big change? The tournament is now known as the Western and Southern Open.

For nine days, the best the tennis world has to offer will compete in Mason. Grigor Dimitrov and Garbiñe Murugza will look to defend their Men’s and Women’s Singles Titles in what looks to be one of the toughest fields in years. With many top seeds were out early at Wimbledon, and some skipping smaller tournaments in Washington, D.C., and the Rogers Cup in Canada, a lot of the better players will be looking to build some momentum heading into the US Open later this month.

Check back here for, updates, schedules, interviews, and more as we continue to cover the Western and Southern Open.

Have a question? Comment? Want to share you experiences at the Lindner Tennis Center? Email me at davekeaton@iheartmedia.com or check me out on Twitter @Dave__Keaton .


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