Following the conclusion of the 2024 Cincinnati Open, a sweeping $260 million transformation of the tournament venue was launched to elevate the event‘s profile. American tennis star Taylor Townsend, currently ranked World No. 1 in women’s doubles, expressed enthusiasm for the extensive upgrades during the 2025 tournament but also shared her humorous struggle navigating the expanded grounds. Townsend praised the changes while competing in both singles and doubles draws at Cincinnati, highlighting the facility’s impressive new features.
Townsend remarked,
“It is Chef Kiss. Like I mean honestly. The amount of times that I’ve gotten lost is ridiculous but I’m getting better. Like I’m finding the ways to get from point A to point B more directly. But it’s so amazing. Like I am jaws on the ground honestly. It is so beautiful. It is so well thought out. Um they’ve considered all of the things that we need and have really given.”
—Taylor Townsend, Professional Tennis Player
Details of the Cincinnati Open’s Facility Overhaul
The renovation introduced a state-of-the-art 56,000-square-foot structure named The Clubhouse, designed as a comfortable retreat specifically for players. Additional amenities now include spacious restaurants, coffee bars, lounges, and massage chairs, all aimed at enhancing the experience for both athletes and fans. Given the Cincinnati Open’s status as a pivotal event on the ATP and WTA tours—serving as a key tune-up before the US Open—the extensive facility improvement was strategically implemented to match the tournament’s increasing global viewership and prestige.
Townsend further expressed her admiration for the overall upgrade, stating,
“I mean there’s no I don’t have any comments like I mean everything is really really amazing and you know I feel like this is the type of level and this is how you want to feel at the Masters 1000s and the slams like these are the biggest tournaments um of the year and you know I think they have really really set the bar really high.”
—Taylor Townsend, Professional Tennis Player
Tournament Director Bob Moran on the Ambitious Makeover
Bob Moran, the Cincinnati Open’s tournament director, outlined the reasoning behind the ambitious upgrade, emphasizing the event’s growing stature ahead of the US Open. Serving as the final major warmup tournament on the calendar, Cincinnati attracts top global talent and massive TV audiences each year. Moran highlighted the commitment to delivering an exceptional event experience, not only for fans attending in person but also for viewers watching worldwide.
He stated,
“I want them to see a great event. I want them to see something that’s really, really special. And it doesn’t matter where you do it. It’s the fact that you’re doing something great in a place and putting your heart and soul into something. That shows through to the fans on TV, it shows through to the fans who are in the stands. It shows to the players or partners or volunteers that the group that’s putting this on, from ownership on down, is committed to creating an exceptional experience. And we hope that shows through in every asset that we have.”
—Bob Moran, Cincinnati Open Tournament Director
The Significance of This Upgrade for Tennis Worldwide
The Cincinnati Open’s modernized facility demonstrates a bold investment in tennis infrastructure, potentially setting a new standard for major events globally. By elevating player amenities and enhancing fan engagement, the tournament bolsters its reputation as a premier Masters 1000 competition, critical in preparation for the US Open. This renovation illustrates how large-scale venue improvements can align with tennis’s expanding international popularity and the sport’s evolving expectations for world-class experiences.
As top-ranked athletes like Taylor Townsend compete amid these improved surroundings, the revamped Cincinnati Open is positioning itself as a benchmark within the professional tennis circuit. The venue upgrades are expected to attract wider audiences, elevate player satisfaction, and amplify the tournament’s prestige in coming years.