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via Getty

The Western & Southern Open bills itself as one of the oldest American Tennis Tournament still held in a city of origin, Mason. Since 1899, the tournament has been a part of Cincinnati, and a huge part of the tennis circuit. But now, this all could change, as the city council members in Charlotte, North Carolina have found a new home for the  Western & Southern Open. 

The council has made a strong move by approving $65M to build a tennis complex across the Charlotte River. The new location will have 4 new tennis stadiums, and along with that, there will be a pickleball court too. The proposed facility will host the tournament but also it will provide a permanent home for the event. 

Cincinnati Open set to have a new home

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The possibility that the tennis tournament can leave Cincinnati is becoming stronger as the City Council of Charlotte has raised quite good funding for the project. Earlier, the council went forward with a proposed $400 million plan to make a better home for the tournament away from Cincinnati. 

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According to Cincinnati.com, a few days after the approval, the council voted unanimously to start negotiations with tournament owner Beemok Capital. And during a recent livestream session on Facebook, the council dedicated a $65 million portion of their funding to the tennis project. The Charlotte proposed tennis complex would be part of the upcoming River District residential and commercial area. 

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The tournament during its century-long journey in Cincinnati has given a lot of tennis players a huge platform to showcase their talents, including the likes of Serena and Venus Williams and other champions athletes in the country. The idea of changing the location came to mind after Beemak Capital, a company owned by South Carolina billionaire Ben Navarro, bought the tournament from the United States Tennis Association last year in the month of August. 

What will the new Western and Southern Open have? 

The project will contain four new tennis stadiums after relocation by the Charlotte River, as well as a building with an amphitheater for other outdoor activities. The project developer also claims that the new venue will bring in $300 million in revenue. It will also receive about 650,000 visitors annually, which is significantly higher than the current stadium at Cincinnati.

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The tennis stadium construction project seating capacity will range from 2000 to 14000 seats in terms of structure. It will also cover 50 acres and contain numerous practice courts. Additionally, according to the project’s current proposal, tennis.com reports that it will build 40 tennis courts and even a pickleball facility. It will also be intriguing to anticipate what the new Western and Southern Open home will offer in the future.