North Charlotte Today

The Western & Southern Open tournament organizers are considering relocating the tennis tournament from Cincinnati, Ohio and Charlotte is one the cities currently being considered.

The Western & Southern Open is held annually in August, immediately prior to the U.S. Open which helps attract some of the best men’s and women’s tennis players in the world to the event. In 2022, nine of the top 10 men’s tennis players competed and all 10 of the top ranked women’s tennis players competed at the tournament. The Western & Southern Open is a Masters 1000-level event (the level right below tennis Grand Slam events) and other cities with Masters 1000-level events include Miami, Los Angeles, Rome, Madrid, Montreal, Toronto, Monte-Carlo, Paris and Shanghai.

In 2025, the Western & Southern Open will double in size and duration increasing from an eight-day, 56-player event to a 14-day, 96-player event which would increase the number of attendees and increase the economic impact which is estimated to be $275 million according to tournament organizers.

Relocation of the tournament would include building a large racquet facility in Charlotte to be the home of the tournament, as well as a site to host other racquet events including college and amateur tennis tournaments, pickleball events, and other events such as concerts and festivals.

The tournament organizers presented its vision to Charlotte City Council’s Jobs & Economic Development Committee and the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners Economic Development Committee on May 10.

Please see below for more information. Additional materials will be posted as they are available.

 Original source can be found here