The future of the Cincinnati Masters event could be in doubt as the Western and Southern Open might move to a new location in Charlotte by 2025.
Currently, the owner of the Western and Southern Open, Beemok Capital, which purchased the competition in August 2022, is considering moving the event to a new tennis complex in Charlotte’s River District. As part of the expansion, Beemok Capital has made a proposal about building a tennis site that could host 40 courts, four stadiums, and a hybrid amphitheatre for tennis and non-tennis events.
In addition, the move might be necessary as the Western and Southern Open is expanding to a two-week, 96-singles player draw from 2025. As a result, the competition might need a new venue to meet the increasing demands and Beemok Capital was eager to outline the need for development in a statement on the topic.
"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.”
Although the essential need for more facilities might become a reality in the next two years for the Western and Southern Open, moving from Cincinnati would end a 125-year-old tennis tradition. The first-ever Cincinnati Masters was held at Xavier University in 1899 and the competition will celebrate its 125th year anniversary in August this year.
However, the potential move to Charlotte has not been confirmed yet and the Beemok Capital company has not yet ruled out the possibility of keeping the event at the current venue, the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
At the 2022 Cincinnati Masters, Borna Coric stunned the event as the Croatian player entered the competition ranked 152nd and won the tournament - his first-ever ATP 1000 title.
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