From Cincinnati to Charlotte? Future of Western & Southern Open may involve moving cities

FLASHBACK: Garcia tops Kvitova in 2022 Cincy women's final

Could a long-standing tennis staple of the Midwest be on the move soon?

The owner of the Western & Southern Open is pursuing all options for the event’s future, including one avenue that would bring the combined 1000-level event from one Queen City in Cincinnati, Ohio area to another Queen City in Charlotte, N.C. by 2026.

According to the Business Courier, Beemok Capital—which purchased the tournament last August upon being selected by the USTA in a bidding process—is looking to build a $400 million tennis complex as part of a relocation proposition presented on Wednesday. Targeting Charlotte’s River District, the plan entails constructing 40 courts, including four stadiums, and an amphitheater providing opportunities to host non-tennis events. Room for pickleball was also factored into the project's outline. Of the suggested investment, Beemok Capital is looking for local taxpayers to cover $133 million, or one third.

The Western & Southern Open is due to celebrate its 125th anniversary in Cincinnati next year after debuting at present-day Xavier University in 1899. Fond of its heritage, the tournament’s website reads, “The Western & Southern Open is the nation's oldest professional tennis tournament played in its city of origin.”

Keeping the tournament at the Lindner Family Tennis Center has not been ruled out, at least officially.

Said Beemok Capital in a statement, “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.”

The Mutua Madrid Open, a fellow 1000-level event, just debuted as a two-week operation with 96-player singles draws and Rome’s Internazionali BNL d'Italia is following suit as we speak. The ATP’s announced strategic plan in June 2022 involved the Western & Southern Open and Canada’s National Bank Open (currently held the week prior) joining this expansion model from 2025.

Beemok Capital, under the leadership of Ben Navarro, has overseen the operation of the WTA’s renowned Credit One Charleston Open in Charleston, S.C. since 2018 through its Sports and Entertainment division.