Weeks after a fierce European summer, tennis’ elite hits the American hard courts for the 2025 Cincinnati Open. Running August 7-18 at the recently renovated Lindner Family Tennis Center, the event will see the likes of Jannick Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek compete in a high-stakes fortnight ahead of the US Open.
While qualifying started on August 5-6th, we brace ourselves for the Quarterfinals on August 14-15th, followed by weekend Semifinals and an unusual Monday, August 18th, Finale.
Here’s our usual rundown on the tennis ahead.
Sinner’s dominance on hard courts defined his 2024 season, in which he captured seven of 8 tour-level titles. In 2025, he has already defended his Australian Open crown with methodic strength and precision. In Ohio, his opening win over Daniel Elahi Galán (6–1, 6–1) was his fastest of the year, sealed in just 59 minutes. While it’s hard to imagine anyone matching such flawless performances, a few names could still trouble the current world No. 1.
Carlos Alcaraz returns hungry after his Wimbledon final defeat. The Spaniard always brings magic to the court, yet hard courts remain his least successful surface. He opened with a win over world No. 56 Damir Dzumhur in a patchy display, dropping the second set 6-2. His projected path could pit him against Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals and Alexander Zverev in the semis.
While much of the conversation revolves around the two men who contested the finals in Rome, Roland-Garros, and Wimbledon, a third contender could disrupt both Alcaraz and Sinner: Alexander Zverev. The world No. 3 has long been a force on hard courts, boasting a 2025 Australian Open final appearance and the 2021 Cincinnati title. After advancing comfortably through his first two rounds, he now meets Brandon Nakashima in the third - and could be poised to upset Alcaraz this weekend. Keep an eye on him.
While many ATP tournaments jostle for the unofficial title of “fifth Grand Slam,” consensus still crowns Indian Wells. The numbers tell part of the story: in 2025, Cincinnati’s men’s champion will earn $1,124,380, compared to the $1,201,125 Jack Draper took home at Indian Wells, as noted by The Athletic’s James Hansen.
Cincinnati, however, plays a different game. It may lack the historic allure of Madrid or Rome or the sprawling spectacle of Miami, but it holds a strategic advantage: it’s the final Masters 1000 stop before the US Open. It’s a slot the tournament has leveraged with precision - and heavy investment.
In 2025, the event stretched from nine days to 14, expanded its singles draws from 56 to 96 players, and unveiled a $260 million transformation that doubled its footprint in less than a year. The upgrades deliver more matches, improved facilities, and an enhanced fan experience. Off the court, tournament director Bob Moran has made hospitality a signature - organizing player dinners, securing football tickets, and ensuring that, in Ohio, tennis feels personal.
Stay tuned in for updates from Ohio.
