History

The Cincinnati Masters started on September 18, 1899. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the United States played in its original city. In August 2008, the tournament was sold to the United States Association, which is also the owner of the US Open. The Western and Southern Financial Group sponsored the event for the first time in 2002. The company continued its sponsorship until now. The Western and Southern Open 2020 was the 119th edition of the tournament on the men's side and the 92nd edition on the women's side.

Since its inception, the tournament has been suspended on three occasions, all in the early 1900s.

Record?

The most successful player in the open era of the Western and Southern Open has been Roger Federer. The Swiss ace won seven titles in Cincinnati and has also reached eight finals in the city of Ohio. Roger Federer missed the 2020 event after undergoing double knee surgery.

In the women's side of the game, Serena Williams is the most successful player with two titles after the event turned into a premier 5 tournament on 2008. The American also reached one other final at the Cincinnati Open. Again, this has been set in the Open era. Overall, Williams is still three behind Ruth Sanders Cordes and Clara Louise Zinke, who have conquered five titles each.

The youngest winner of the Western and Southern Open was Boris Becker at the age of 17 years, 8 months, and 29 days. While the oldest champion was Ken Rosewall at the age of 35 years, 8 months, and 19 days. Roger Federer has a chance to break this record at the Western and Southern Open 2021.

Western and Southern Open 2020

The 2020 edition was organized in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic after many tournaments before it were either canceled or pushed indefinitely.

The Western and Southern Open 2020 was held away from Cincinnati for the first time ever. The event was held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York. That is also the venue for the US Open.

This was done to reduce traveling for players during the pandemic, so they could play the Western and Southern Open and US Open 2020 at the same venue. It was a closed-doors event and no fans attended.

Prize money for 2020 edition

The overall prize money experienced a massive drop in 2020. It came down to $4.2 million from over $6 million last year.

The champions took home 75 percent less than they did last year.

The men's and women's singles champions took home $285,000 each. The men's finalist received a paycheque of $185,015, while the women's finalist received a paycheque of $152,999.

2020 champions

Men's singles - Novak Djokovic d. Milos Raonic 1-6, 6-3, 6-4

Women's singles - Victoria Azarenka d. Naomi Osaka walkover

Men's doubles - Pablo Carreno Busta/Alex de Minaur d. Jamie Murray/Neal Skupski 6-2, 7-5

Women's doubles - Kveta Peschke/Demi Schuurs d. Nicole Melichar/Xu Yifan 6-1, 4-6, (10-4)