[Mason Chronicle] What the Western & Southern Open Means to Cincinnati

The Western & Southern Open has solidified as one of the most meaningful yearly events in Cincinnati.

According to tournament director Vince Cicero, the loyal Cincinnati fan base is a part of the tournament’s success.

“We have great fan support,” Cicero said. “The amount of tennis fans that have been here year in and year out, the attendance has been strong, which has allowed the event to do very well.”

Cicero also said the numerous tennis clubs around Cincinnati help create the strong attendance.

“There’s a lot of [tennis] players in the Cincinnati area,” Cicero said. “Any time we have a lot of tennis players playing the game, they enjoy coming out and watching the game.”

Cicero also said the healthy atmosphere was a major part of making the tournament so special.

“[The healthy atmosphere] is a real focus point through all of our off-season planning and we try to establish it as an identity of the tournament.”

Although tennis clubs bring fans in, Cicero also said the facilities go the extra mile to make them return.

“There are about 30 live bands that perform throughout the course of the tournament,” Cicero said. 

“We’re also unique in that our food is operated by 14 different restaurants, including very familiar companies like Graeter’s, Montgomery Inn, and LaRosa’s.”

Local fans also enjoyed an improved viewing experience, as $23 million were invested in renovations.

“[The renovations] resulted in a new Players Center, 6 new courts, a new ticket office & Main Gate Entrance and a new Food Court,” Cicero said. “I think around the grounds we’ve tried to make it very fan friendly in operation, and we’ve also tried to make it fan friendly in the actual facilities, and have invested a lot of money in that.”

Cicero also said the talented competitors in the tournament make it a highly regarded community event.

“There’s a special pride,” Cicero said. “Whether it’s tennis or any other event, to bring out the best in that industry, and we’re fortunate [to have] all the top men’s players and all the top women’s players.”

Those top players are comfortable with the fans, as friendly vibes from the Cincinnati crowd allow them to be closer to the fans.

“There’s a lot of interaction between the players and the fans,” Cicero said. “[players] realize it’s a very friendly group, we’ve got a lot of Midwestern hospitality, and the players feel comfortable here, and the fans love the interaction with the players.”

The main force behind the hospitality was the 1400 volunteers covering this year’s tournament.

“[Fans are] surrounded by a lot of friendly people, but that’s chiefly driven by the volunteers.” Cicero said. “There’s a lot of interaction with the fans as they’re coming and going.”