Gennie L.

This is the first tennis tournament I've ever been to and my expectations were definitely exceeded! The venue is pretty big and all the stadiums and courts were very clean. The parking lot is about a 5-10 minute walk from the venue but they have golf carts and run back and forth for free. The stadiums are never full except QF SF and final. It can get very hot in the summer in cincy and matches can get long so I'd definitely recommend bringing a stadium seat cushion! Overall rating: 10/10

Laura M.

This was my 1st time at the Western & Southern. I've attended many professional tournaments over the years mostly in CA. The tournament is in a great location right off the interstate and across from Kings Island. It's a Masters 1000 event so the top women & men attend. So more tennis players for your ticket price. It draws all the top players as it's right before the US OPEN. Player accessibility is pretty easy here if you go early in the week. Make sure to visit all the courts and watch the practices and early rounds. Watching new players on their way up is pretty fun. It would be great if the tournament had a general admission ticket just for the outside courts. Other tournaments do and it keeps the price down. This tournament uses Ticketmaster so you have to pay their fees as well. Also the prices of tickets change constantly which I haven't seen before. There need to be more water fountains and water refill stations. This is the mid west in August! Also more and better charging stations. Better signage for all as well. Lots of food & drink options but very pricey like any big event. I would definitely go again though.

Dana W.

I attended this event for the second time this year, and it makes me kick myself that I haven't attended before. This is a wonderful tournament and the venue allows fans to get up close and personal with some of the best names in tennis. Both times I have attended I saw two of the women's matches and one men's match. These were semi-finals matches near the end of the tournament. Although I enjoyed these, I think I will return next year earlier in the week to see as many players as I can and roam around the grounds of the venue. This year we experienced a rain delay. I honestly can't say enough about the crew that worked to get the players back on the courts. I have never seen so many people and so many squeegees at once! The delay was short and we were back to play in no time. I also have to give a shout out to the DJ of the event. They were on point with the music and even had a great songs abut rain playlist for the delay! The only negative is the parking. Unless you upgrade, you are in a dirt lot. With the time of year this tournament is held, it is difficult to predict how soft the ground will be. Thankfully it's not too far away from the entrance, and if you have back troubles like me, they even offer golf carts to take you up.

If you're coming tennis you're in the right place. Just don't plan on driving yourself. My main focus of this review is the general parking because we have now spent more time waiting to get out of the lot then we did watching the quarter finals (my bet on Taylor did not hit and I have to remortgage the house) I'm now sitting running out of gas not sure if I will be able to make it home. Buy a parking pass before coming back and don't put your money on Taylor.

My husband & I were the only ones asked out of a large group (all w/ a different hue) multiple times to show our tickets. Our experience was really tainted. This employee seemed racist was was very rude to us.

Barry M.

This is an event that I have attended regularly since 1985, probably going to at least 20 of the years since then, often on multiple days. I have seen practically all the great players here since then (except McEnroe) up and very close. What is amazing about this tournament is that it is typically possible to see your heroes from a few feet away, and trust me, I have seen everyone play. Additionally, I have brought dozens of people along and they all agree that this is a special event. Caveat--I only attend the tournament on the Sunday before it starts, perhaps the Monday or Tuesday early rounds. Have only gone later in the week once, and did not enjoy it as much. The reason to go the day before the tournament starts is that all the players in the first round (except for those who make the semifinals in Toronto) will be there practicing. You can see the practice schedule online, or get it on arrival. Practically everyone will be practicing Monday and Tuesday as well, but this feature of the tournament diminishes as the week progresses. In the old days there would be a very small crowd watching practice--there could be 5-10 people watching Becker, Edberg, Courier, etc. No longer. Crowds have grown exponentially, so you have to fight your way to the front. The best place to watch by far are the four adjacent courts on the south-west side of the complex. Walk to the middle, and you will have two courts on either side of you, and you can literally see the action from a few feet away. It is a mistake to think that the top-ranked players are the best to watch practice. Nadal, Djokovic, Wawrinka train hard, but the Fed usually just messes around--when he turns it on, though, if you are lucky to be there, he hits some of the most amazing shots you will ever see. The guys training the hardest are typically the also-rans ranked in the 30s or so, of the younger up and comers. This is where the true action is--a lot of these guys have beautiful, clean strokes and amazing athleticism. Go see guys like Fognini and Lopez who are true entertainers. The ladies tell me that they all have great bods--a real plus given that they typically take their shirts off. There are also the tall, big servers, like Anderson, Isner, etc, who practice serving a lot, and who are truly a sight to behold at ground level. Even bigger bonus are all the former greats who coach the current crop--you can see them all hanging out by the fence where you stand. The best to go see is Carlos Moya, wherever he is, because he has an outstanding collection of tricks that he loves to entertain the crowd with. Don't waste your time trying to talk to any of these people--the pro tennis scene is as giant collection of assholes as you will ever encounter. Just enjoy the tennis. If you want to see the players at an even closer range, stay at the local Marriott--which is where the vast majority are lodged. Plenty of food options--much better than in the past. Lots of gear on sale. Food, merchandise, and drinks are expensive. Until last year the best deal was to buy the lemonade drinks at the various drink stands around the ground, which were large and delicious. Alas, they changed the formula and these are no longer good. Sun--it's hot and not much shade anywhere. You have to come prepared with hat and sunscreen or you will get burned. For the same reason, I don't like going to watch matches on center court, which is a giant brutalist furnace of unshaded concrete. Why they cannot shade this for the benefit of everybody God only knows. Only go there for the evening sessions. In short, an awesome sporting experience

John G.

The Western & Southern Open is one of the most coveted tournaments by the world's greatest players - and if you're a pro tennis fan in Ohio, it should also be one of your top annual regional summer destinations. Federer, Joker, Nadal, Serena - they all play this tournament. I appreciate great seats the older I get, and I lucked into some ideal viewing this summer. As a tournament site, the layout is compact and relatively easy with plenty of food and drink choices - including ice cream. The weather was sweltering for the men's and women's finals but the tournament was prepared, taking care of its fans with paddles to ease the pain. No matter where you sit, you'll feel close to the action and the non-stadium courts are also ideal spots to observe all the tennis technique nuances to improve your own game. The parking may require some patience - and a car wash afterwards as the lots are dry and dusty.

Terry D.

There are only two reasons for not giving 5 stars. First, I'm a clay court girl and this is a hard court. Nothing to be done about that so I head to Charleston, SC and Houston, TX. Number two, parking can be chaotic, especially after two weeks of rain. The dirt lots become mud wrestling pits. But hey, in recent years they've added more food vendors, live music entertainment and more and more giveaways. A good time was had by all.

Brian S.

I've been to this tournament for over 15 years. Very nice venue with a center court that feels intimate compared to the 20,000 seat Arthur Ashe stadium in New York. My positives and negatives of the tournament are below. Positives - great way to see professional tennis up close at a reasonable price compared to the USOPEN - parking is free for season ticket holders and all the public. - all the people on site are very friendly and accommodating Negatives - my season ticket prices went from 870 a seat to 1250 a seat between the 2018 and 2019 seasons. I've never seen such an increase in my lifetime for season tickets for any sport! Also it was poor the way they handled the increase. No explanation of why the increase just an electronic invoice. I called and they said they wanted comparable prices to other venues in North America like Miami or Toronto. Sorry to say that Mason Ohio does not have the same feeling as Toronto or Miami! - the prices for food have also skyrocketed in recent years. Couple years back you could get a hotdog and chips for 5 dollars and now it's 6 dollars for just a hotdog. - food and drinks (except 1 water bottle) are prohibited to bring into the stadium. I've been to Roland Garros in Paris and they allow you to bring in as much food as you want into the venue. Poor policy that they should change! - the HEAT! If you are watching any tennis in the day expect the weather to be 85-95 degrees with lots of humidity. Stick to the night sessions if heat bothers you at all. I'll continue to go each year since you can get really close at a reasonable price compared to the USOPEN. If the prices for food and my season tickets keep skyrocketing like they have for the past couple of years I will have to reconsider going to this event.

Arthur A.

Such a great place in Cincy for a world class tennis event. Watch top players in ATP World Tour & WTA Tour rankings play there best in action. Stop by at practice courts more than once to see your favorite players up close in person. Don't forget to check out the westside of the Center Court, the players entrance to Player Center. Another spot to see the players so close. This is my second Masters 1000 tournament venue visited after BNP Paribas in IWTG. See you in August Mason/Cincy.

Carolyn B.

We are very fortunate to have the Western & Southern Open right here in Cincinnati! It's roots began back in 1899 which makes it the oldest tennis tournament in the US still playing in its original city!! Also, it's the 2nd largest summer tennis event in the US after the US Open! It has become a tradition with hubby and I to attend going back quite a few years. We went before we had children and watched people like Boris Becker and Jimmy Connors. Yes, I am that old. Not only does it draw all the top names, it is a beautiful venue. Each year I go and wish that whoever landscapes for them would landscape for me (without the huge price tag). Hydrangeas are one of my favorites and you see them in gorgeous bloom everywhere. They fill planters on the outside of the stands with lots of color - included photos. It's fun to go early with friends, get a bite to eat from the many vendors there and still have time to find your seat before the match begins. I really can say that there is not a bad seat in the house. We know exactly which seats to get so that we get the setting sun's shade first - ahh! Maybe other venues have it too, but there is this crazy cam that seems to float anywhere it wants while attached to overhead wires. Great for the kiss cam. This year we finally got rain and it had to come during ATP week. The powers that be stepped right in with free shuttle buses taking you up to the front gates and were available until the last person left. We were able to park at a church where the shuttle picked us up from so there wasn't any walking through the sloggy mud. Elevators and the many restrooms add to your convenience. Maybe we will see you there next year!

Kristina T.

We attended the Western Southern Tennis open-my first professional tennis match! I absolutely loved it. We got to see a lot of big people play like Venus & Serena but I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the Lidner Family Tennis Center. They had a types of vendors, food, and games! We had perfect weather-I would definitely like to go again next year!