By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday October 10, 2023
The Western and Southern Open is staying put.
Despite numerous tax incentives from the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, Beemok Capital, the owner of the historic event, has elected to keep the tournament in Mason, Ohio.
The news broke on Tuesday via a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that featured cameos from 2023 champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff.
The tournament has a 125-year history in Mason, which neighbors Cincinnati, and has pledged $200,000 million in upgrades in a deal that will lock up the tournament’s home for 25 years.
Beemok Capital acquired the event from the USTA in 2022, and attracted a strong bid from Charlotte, which proposed to build a new site to host the tournament, potentially starting in 2026.
“The passion and commitment of this community to keep the tournament here was an undeniable factor in our decision to stay,” Beemok Capital Founder Ben Navarro said. “The city of Mason, Warren County, the state of Ohio and multiple corporate entities demonstrated their unwavering support for the tennis tournament. This tournament and its history are special. We’re excited to add to its legacy and create a world-class tennis experience for players and fans.”
In 2025, the tournament will expand in size and duration, extending from nine to 12 days and growing the single player draw from 56 to 96 players, solidifying its place as the premier US Open warm up event.
Per the Cincinnati Enquirer, Mason's City Council approved $15 million in improvements to the tennis complex and Ohio House of Representatives also added $22.5 million to the state budget for renovations. Beemok will invest north of $130 million into the complex.
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