Tennis Champs Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff Give Cincy a Major Sigh of Relief

The champions previewed some of the major changes coming to the Western & Southern Open starting in 2024, the tournament's 125th year.

By Madeline Fening on Tue, Oct 10, 2023 at 12:15 pm

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Photo: Screenshot, Western & Southern on Youtube

The 2023 Western & Southern Open women's singles champion Coco Gauff.

The Western & Southern Open will officially stay in Mason, according to an announcement from the tournament's 2023 champions:

"Hello, Cincinnati. Your two champions here," said the 2023 men's singles winner Novak Djokovic in a YouTube video posted on Oct 10. "We have major news," added Coco Gauff, 2023's winner in the women's singles division.

Against a backdrop of bouncy music and tennis footage, Djokovic and Gauff gave local tennis fans a major sigh of relief.

"Your wonderful tournament is staying in Cincinnati!" said

Djokovic. "And it's going to be bigger and better than ever," said Gauff.

The announcement comes after months of debate over whether the tournament would leave Mason for Charlotte.

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Photo: Provided by Western & Southern Open

The Western & Southern Open has taken place in Mason, Ohio for more than a century.

Djokovic and Gauff raved about their experiences competing in the Western & Southern Open, saying the massive crowds of more than 200,000 spectators had "incredible energy." Gauff remarked at her special connection to the tournament in the video: "It was my first career WTA 1,000 title."

The champions previewed some of the major changes coming to the Western & Southern Open starting in 2024, the tournament's 125th year.

The tournament is investing $200 million in stadium improvements and, by 2025, will expand the tournament to two weeks of competition for both men and women.

"Cincinnati, I have won three of your trophies. I would love to have a fourth one in August," said Djokovic.

The 2024 Western & Southern Open kicks off on Aug. 12. Click here to join the waitlist for tickets.

Watch the full video announcement here:

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Madeline Fening

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Madeline Fening is CityBeat’s investigative news reporter. Proudly born and raised in Middletown, she attended Bowling Green State University before moving to Austin, Texas where she dabbled in documentary filmmaking, digital news and bartending. Madeline then moved to Cincinnati to work for WCPO 9 News as an...

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