The Cincinnati Open (also known as the Cincinnati Masters or Western & Southern Open) is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments outside the Grand Slams.
Held each August at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, the tournament is a combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event.
Because it takes place just before the US Open, Cincinnati is considered one of the most important warm-up tournaments on the North American hard-court swing.
Many of the biggest stars in tennis—including Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Aryna Sabalenka—have won titles at Cincinnati.
Table of Contents
Cincinnati Open Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Mason, Ohio, United States |
| Venue | Lindner Family Tennis Center |
| Surface | Outdoor Hard Court |
| ATP Level | ATP Masters 1000 |
| WTA Level | WTA 1000 |
| ATP Draw | 96 Singles / 32 Doubles |
| WTA Draw | 96 Singles / 32 Doubles |
| Month Played | August |
| Tournament Founded | 1899 |
History of the Cincinnati Open
The Cincinnati Open is one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world, first held in 1899.
Originally played at the Avondale Athletic Club in Cincinnati, the tournament moved locations several times before settling at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
Throughout its history the tournament has been part of several different tours, including:
Since 1990, the men’s event has been classified as an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, while the women’s event is part of the WTA 1000 series.
Because of its long history and prestige, the Cincinnati Open is considered one of the most important tournaments outside the Grand Slams.
Cincinnati Open 2026 Dates
The 2026 Cincinnati Open tennis tournament took place from the 13th to the 23rd of August 2026, with the ATP and WTA singles finals being played on Sunday, the 23rd of August 2026.
The tournament is played immediately before the US Open, meaning many players use Cincinnati as their final preparation for the last Grand Slam of the season.
Cincinnati Open Venue
The Cincinnati Open is held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, a large tennis complex located in Mason, Ohio, roughly 35 km north of downtown Cincinnati.
The venue features:
- Center Court capacity: 11,400
- Grandstand Court: 5,000 seats
- Multiple outer courts
- Extensive fan zones and hospitality areas
The complex is one of the few permanent tennis venues in the United States designed specifically for a major professional tournament.
Cincinnati Open Surface and Playing Conditions
The Cincinnati Open is played on outdoor hard courts similar to those used at the US Open.
The courts are considered medium-fast, which rewards aggressive baseline play and powerful serving.
Top Players at the Cincinnati Open
The Cincinnati Open regularly attracts the top players from both the ATP and WTA Tours because the event offers 1000 ranking points to the singles champion.
Recent editions have featured players such as:
ATP Players
- Novak Djokovic
- Carlos Alcaraz
- Jannik Sinner
- Daniil Medvedev
- Alexander Zverev
- Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Holger Rune
- Taylor Fritz
WTA Players
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Iga Świątek
- Coco Gauff
- Elena Rybakina
- Jessica Pegula
- Ons Jabeur
- Mirra Andreeva
Entry lists are usually announced 3–4 weeks before the tournament begins.
Tickets
Tickets for the 2026 men’s and women’s tournaments in Cincinnati will go on sale on the tournament’s official website WSopen.com closer to the start of the tournament.
Fans can choose from a variety of ticket options including:
- Single-session tickets for day or night matches
- Full series packages for access to all sessions
- Mini plans tailored to specific rounds or weekends
- Premium seating with luxury amenities and lounge access
Tickets are often also available through platforms like StubHub and Ticketmaster, offering resale options and additional seating choices.
The most popular sessions are typically the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals weekend, which often sell out quickly.
Cincinnati Open Schedule
Below is the expected schedule for the 2026 tournament in Cincinnati, with the first round of men’s and women’s singles starting on Thursday, the 13th of August 2026.
| Date | Round |
|---|---|
| Thursday, 13 August 2026 | 1st Round |
| Friday, 14 August 2026 | 1st Round |
| Saturday, 15 August 2026 | 2nd Round |
| Sunday, 16 August 2026 | 2nd Round |
| Monday, 17 August 2026 | 3rd Round |
| Tuesday, 18 August 2026 | 3rd Round |
| Wednesday, 19 August 2026 | 4th Round |
| Thursday, 20 August 2026 | Quarterfinals |
| Friday, 21 August 2026 | Quarterfinals |
| Saturday, 22 August 2026 | Semi-finals |
| Sunday, 23 August 2026 | Final |
Where to Watch the Cincinnati Open
The Cincinnati Open is broadcast worldwide, with coverage varying by region.
Typical broadcasters include:
- United States: Tennis Channel / ESPN
- United Kingdom & Ireland: Sky Sports Tennis
- Europe: Eurosport
- Streaming: ATP Tour TV and WTA TV
Cincinnati Open Prize Money and Ranking Points
Information in relation to the prize money to be awarded to players for the 2026 tournament has not yet been confirmed, but in 2025 the total prize money was $9,193,540 for the ATP Cincinnati Masters and $5,152,599 for the WTA Cincinnati Open.
Below is how prize money and ranking points were distributed in 2025.
Men’s Singles
The winner of the men’s singles event in 2025 won $1,124,380 and 1000 ranking points, with the runner-up winning $597,890 and 650 Points.
| Performance | Prize Money | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | $1,124,380 | 1000 |
| Finalist | $597,890 | 650 |
| Semifinalist | $332,160 | 400 |
| Quarterfinalist | $189,075 | 200 |
| 4th Round | $103,225 | 100 |
| 3rd Round | $60,400 | 50 |
| 2nd Round | $35,260 | 30 |
| 1st Round | $23,760 | 10 |
Women’s Singles
The winner of the women’s singles event in 2025 won $752,275 and 1000 ranking points, with the runner-up winning $391,600 and 650 ranking points.
| Performance | Prize Money | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | $752,275 | 1000 |
| Finalist | $391,600 | 650 |
| Semifinalist | $206,100 | 390 |
| Quarterfinalist | $107,000 | 215 |
| 4th Round | $56,703 | 120 |
| 3rd Round | $33,000 | 65 |
| 2nd Round | $19,705 | 35 |
| 1st Round | $12,770 | 10 |
Cincinnati Open Records (Open Era)
Men’s Singles Records
Roger Federer holds the record for the most Cincinnati Masters titles with seven and has also reached the final a record eight times.
Boris Becker is the youngest champion in the Open Era, winning the title at age 17, while Ken Rosewall remains the oldest champion, lifting the trophy at age 35.
| Record | Player |
|---|---|
| Most titles | Roger Federer (7) |
| Most finals | Roger Federer (8) |
| Youngest champion | Boris Becker (17) |
| Oldest champion | Ken Rosewall (35) |
Women’s Singles Records
Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka share the record for the most women’s singles titles with two each, while Serena Williams and Simona Halep hold the record for the most finals appearances with three.
Tracy Austin is the youngest champion at 17, while Serena Williams was the oldest champion at age 33.
| Record | Player |
|---|---|
| Most titles | Serena Williams & Victoria Azarenka (2) |
| Most finals | Serena Williams & Simona Halep (3) |
| Youngest champion | Tracy Austin (17) |
| Oldest champion | Serena Williams (33) |
Cincinnati Open Past Winners
Past champions of the ATP Masters 1000 singles tournament include Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal while past champions of the WTA 1000 singles tournament include Ashleigh Barty, Victoria Azarenka, and Serena Williams.
Roger Federer currently holds the record for most men’s singles titles with seven Cincinnati titles to his name, while Ruth Sanders Cordes and Clara Louise Zinke jointly hold the record for most women’s singles titles in Cincinnati with a total of five titles each.
Recent Champions
Men’s Singles
Carlos Alcaraz is the current men’s singles champion after he claimed the 2025 title after Jannik Sinner was forced to retire in the final – see match highlights below.
Below is a table of the men’s singles champions from the last five tournaments.
| Year | Winner | Runner Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 5-0 (Retired) |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Frances Tiafoe | 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | Carlos Alcaraz | 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2022 | Borna Coric | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2021 | Alexander Zverev | Andrey Rublev | 6–2, 6–3 |
Women’s Singles
Iga Świątek is the current champion after she defeated Jasmine Paolini 7–5, 6–4 in the women’s singles final in 2025 (see match highlights below).
Below is a table of the women’s singles champions from the last five tournaments.
| Year | Winner | Runners Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Iga Świątek | Jasmine Paolini | 7–5, 6–4 |
| 2024 | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 6–3, 7–5 |
| 2023 | Coco Gauff | Karolína Muchová | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2022 | Caroline Garcia | Petra Kvitová | 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2021 | Ashleigh Barty | Jil Teichmann | 6–3, 6–1 |
Cincinnati Open FAQ
When is the Cincinnati Open played?
The Cincinnati Open is played every August, roughly two weeks before the US Open.
Where is the Cincinnati Open held?
The tournament takes place at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, near Cincinnati.
What level tournament is the Cincinnati Open?
It is an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event, the highest level of tournament outside the Grand Slams.
Who has won the most Cincinnati titles?
Roger Federer holds the record in men’s singles with 7 titles, while Serena Williams & Victoria Azarenka holds the record in women’s singles with 2 titles each.