Emma Navarro’s bid to gain momentum ahead of the US Open suffered a significant setback when she was defeated in the second round of the Cincinnati Open. On Sunday, the American eighth seed lost to Ella Seidel, a 20-year-old German qualifier ranked 125th in the world, in a three-set match that lasted over two hours.
Seidel recovered from a 4-1 deficit in the deciding set to overcome Navarro 6-4, 1-6, 6-4, marking the young player’s first-ever victory over a top 20 opponent. This came after Seidel had already secured her first Masters 1000 main draw win in the opening round.
Despite Seidel’s inexperience — this was her debut Masters 1000 event, with just two prior main draw appearances and no Grand Slam wins — she demonstrated remarkable composure to upset Navarro, whose recent tournament runs have also been disappointing.
Billionaire owner Ben Navarro’s multimillion-dollar investment in the tournament
The loss is especially notable given the massive $300 million renovation and expansion of the Cincinnati Open facilitated by Emma Navarro’s father, Ben Navarro. Through his private investment firm, Beemok Capital, Ben Navarro acquired the tournament’s license in October 2022 and worked extensively to upgrade its facilities.
The overhaul included investments exceeding $130 million directly from Ben Navarro, with local governments contributing the rest, in efforts to modernize the venue and enhance the experience for players and fans alike. These extensive renovations doubled the size of the site and dramatically transformed its infrastructure.
Significant enhancements transforming The Linder Family Tennis Center
The Cincinnati Open, held at The Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, saw substantial changes following the investment. The tournament site expanded to more than 40 acres, twice its previous size in 2024. A state-of-the-art clubhouse was constructed to improve player comfort, while a 16,000-square-foot pavilion was built for spectators.
Importantly, 14 new courts were added, bringing the total number of courts to 31. The upgrades also introduced a new Champions Court, a 2,300-seat stadium designed to accommodate larger audiences for the biggest matches. These improvements have been welcomed by players, who praised the upgraded facilities ahead of the tournament.
“I first came in here, I was like, ‘What’s going on? Where am I?’”
Aryna Sabalenka, World No. 1
“It took me a little while to feel comfortable in the previous venue, and now we’re in a completely different tournament.”
Rich Cincinnati Open history and debates over tournament location
The Cincinnati Open is one of only six combined ATP and WTA Masters 1000 events worldwide, distinct from Grand Slam tournaments, placing it among tennis’s premier competitions. Unlike tournaments held in internationally renowned cities such as Miami, Madrid, Rome, Toronto, and Montreal, the Cincinnati Open has a unique setting in Mason, Ohio — a town with a population of just 36,000.
Ben Navarro considered relocating the tournament to a larger city like Chicago, which offers a broader tennis market. However, he ultimately chose to preserve the event’s historic roots and strong ties to the local community.
“Person after person came up to me respectfully and said, ‘I hear you’re going to be the new owner of the tournament.’ And they tell me some generational story for how much the tournament meant to them,”
Navarro said during an interview with reporters.
“‘I came with my father.’ ‘I took my kids.’ ‘My mom loved this tournament.’ 125 years of tradition is nothing to sneeze at, right?”
The Cincinnati Open has a storied legacy dating back to 1899, making it one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world. The recent renovations aim to secure its place on the tour for many more decades.
Additional challenges for Emma Navarro and family at the event
Emma Navarro’s struggles continued beyond her singles defeat. She and her sister Margaret, competing as a doubles pair, were also knocked out during the event. These results are disappointing, especially considering the personal investment and heightened attention surrounding the tournament this year.
Ongoing excitement and matchups at the Cincinnati Open
The competition continues to draw interest with star players competing in upcoming matches. Emma Raducanu, who has shown strong form recently, is scheduled to face Aryna Sabalenka on Monday in a highly anticipated rematch of their Wimbledon encounter from last month. Raducanu’s recent success has been attributed in part to working with Rafael Nadal’s former coach, signaling her rising potential ahead of the US Open.
Broader significance of the Cincinnati Open upgrades
The significant investment in the Cincinnati Open reflects a broader trend toward enhancing tennis infrastructure in the United States. By expanding capacity and improving amenities for players and fans, the tournament’s upgrades contribute to raising its stature among the top international tennis events.
For the sport, maintaining and modernizing historic tournaments like Cincinnati is critical to preserving tradition while adapting to contemporary demands. The event’s improved facilities are likely to make it a preferred stop for elite players, increasing its competitiveness and prestige in the lead-up to major championships.
Although Emma Navarro endured a surprising upset, the tournament developments promise long-term benefits for both the players and the regional tennis community.