DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The Western & Southern Open has resided in Mason since the tennis tournament started all the way back in 1899. After being purchased by a new owner in 2022, the longtime tournament could be moving out of Ohio.
Beemok Capital, the current owner of the tennis tournament, is considering moving the Open away from just north of Cincinnati to Charlotte, N.C., as part of a project called “Project Break Point.”
If the tournament does move from one Queen City to another, it is proposed to be placed within the Charlotte’s River District.
The city of Charlotte released renderings of what the new stadium would look like in a Joint City & County Economic Development Committee Meeting on Wednesday, May 10.
2 NEWS reached out to Western & Southern for comment. A statement was returned back from the company saying they hope the tournament will stay in the Cincinnati area, but will still keep working with Beemok until a decision is made. You can read the full statement below.
In a statement sent to 2 NEWS, a representative of Western & Southern officials said they hope the tournament will stay in the Cincinnati area, but will continue working with Beemok until a decision is made. You can read the full statement below.
“Since the tournament’s sale last year, we have made clear our interest in keeping the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, even as we recognized that the new owner would be evaluating multiple options. Until a decision is made, we remain committed to working with the Beemok team to fully explore a solution to expand and enhance the tournament, realize its full potential, and preserve it in its home of 124 years,” said David Nevers, vice president of Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Western & Southern Financial Group.
2 NEWS also reached out to Beemok Capital for comment. Beemok says the company hopes to make an decision sometime during the summer. The full statement can be read below.
“The Western & Southern Open has an incredible history and we are making major investments in the tournament to enhance the experience for players and fans. As careful stewards of the tournament, we are evaluating a number of options as part of a deliberate process relative to its future location, before making substantial investments required to host an expanded event. Our process in other cities follows the same course we have taken in Greater Cincinnati, to both present the benefits of the tournament to the local community as well as evaluate the opportunities and constraints the region presents.”
“We’ve had productive conversations with state and local representatives in Mason and the surrounding area and have made considerable efforts to develop a potential master plan to expand the event in its current location. We have great respect for the City of Mason and are excited to host the tournament here in August and for years to come. We expect to make a decision on the long-term home of the tournament later this summer.”
The Cincinnati tournament is scheduled to get underway Saturday, Aug. 12, and will wrap up Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Linder Family Tennis Center at 5460 Courseview Dr. in Mason.
