MASON - With men's and women's professional tennis shut down since coronavirus restrictions took effect in mid-March, the United States Tennis Association is trying to keep some key events in August alive.
However, as reported in the New York Times June 2, the Western & Southern Tennis Open scheduled to run Aug. 15-23 in Mason, could be moved to New York City prior to the U.S. Open Aug. 31-Sept. 13.
The idea would be similar to the NBA's plan of centralizing their season to ESPN's Disney World facilities. By doing so, the USTA could possibly have the events in the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows (Queens), New York keeping players in the same vicinity. The event could likely occur without fans and media coverage might have to come from a distance.
There's a significant amount of money to be lost by the USTA, New York City and ESPN should the US Open not take place. Locally, the Western & Southern Tennis Open had a regional economic impact of $68 million to local businesses in 2019 according to the company website. The event has also raised more than $11 million for nonprofits such as Cincinnati Children's Medical Center, the UC Health Barrett Cancer Center and Tennis for City Youth.
Around 1,400 people serve volunteer hours at the event. Many high school players serve as ball boys and girls. Coach Mike Reid's Mason girls team usually face top Ohio teams in August. The opponents include a visit to the Western & Southern Open on their itinerary, otherwise, they might not make the trip.
The tournament originated in 1899 at the Avondale Athletic Club, which was situated near the current location of Xavier University. From there it was held at the Cincinnati Tennis Club, the Cincinnati Convention Center, the Queen City Racquet Club, Coney Island Amusement Park, then to the current site of the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason across from Kings Island in 1979.
It grew in popularity from there with various names and was first sponsored by the Western & Southern Financial Group in 2002. Should the New York City plan go through, the tournament would briefly move from the Mason location for the first time in 41 years.
In addition to giving fans close proximity to nationally-ranked players, high school tennis players have been granted the opportunity to hit with pros in recent years. Mason's Niraj Komatineni (former OHSAA and Met champion) and Sycamore's Deepak Indrakanti most recently had such opportunities.
"That is quite a thrill for them and it helps to make them better players," Mason's Reid said. "Not only because they're hitting with better players, but they also see how professionals approach the game."
Some preps who have brushed with the pros have dramatically advanced their careers.
Madeira's Caty McNally was the 2018 French Open Juniors Runner-Up and has graced the Western & Southern Open courts at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Last year she went on to tangle with Serena Williams in the U.S. Open.
J.J. Wolf of Cincinnati Country Day and Ohio State has followed the tennis tradition of his family and most recently was ranked No. 144 by the USTA. The 2019 Ohio State All-American turned pro last July after being named Big Ten Player of the Year. Among his memories, he famously once hit with seven-time Western & Southern champion Roger Federer two seasons ago when he was 19.
"He left a big impact on me that day," Wolf said. "He's such a down-to-earth human being. We hit for maybe like two hours and he talked to my coach and myself for about 30 minutes. That was really motivating for me."
J.J's father Jeff won six Cincinnati Met tennis titles, with his uncle Marty winning five. On the national front, Jeff has played a qualifying match at the big event in Mason and now J.J. keeps the Wolf family on the ball each August.
While J.J. loves the community support here, he's ready to lace up the tennis shoes in New York or anywhere. He was set to display his 140 mile per hour serve at Indian Wells in California when sports came to a screeching halt in early March due to COVID-19.
"I'm just excited it's not going to be canceled," Wolf said of the Western & Southern Open. "If this goes through and it's the only way, I'm honestly just very excited. I'm not even sure I'll get to play, but if I get the opportunity I'll be rarin' to go."
Still, a late-summer tradition will be lost, albeit for a season should the game's best bypass Cincinnati/Mason to head directly to Queens.
"The city of Cincinnati is such a city of heritage for tennis," Wolf said. "Some really good players have come out of there. When I show up for a qualifying match and the whole grandstand is packed, there's no better feeling than that."
No official decision has been made for the event which is considered one of the more fan-friendly stops on the ATP tour.
"The USTA and Western & Southern Open have been exploring multiple scenarios for the tournament," Media Center Manager Pete Holtermann said. "The number one goal is to hold the tournament, in some form, this summer. In all of our modeling, the health and safety of the players, fans, volunteers and staff will be our greatest concern."
A final decision on the status of the tournament is expected in mid-June.
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