You’ve probably seen the drone shots during the hot weeks of August. The sun is beating down on Southwest Ohio, the shadows of the stadiums are stretching across blue hard courts, and some of the world’s best athletes are sweating through three shirts a set. It looks like a standard high-end stop on the pro tour. But honestly, the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason is kind of an anomaly in the sports world. It’s a massive, world-class complex sitting right across the street from a roller coaster park in a suburb that feels way more "Midwest charm" than "Monaco glam."
People usually call it "Cincinnati," but if you’re actually there, you’re in Mason. It’s about 25 miles north of the city. For decades, it was the home of the Western & Southern Open, but things have changed fast. Like, $260 million fast.
There was a real fear a couple of years ago that this whole thing was moving to North Carolina. Beemok Capital, owned by billionaire Ben Navarro, bought the tournament and everyone held their breath. But they stayed. Not only did they stay, they basically tore the place apart and rebuilt it into what players are now calling a "mini-Grand Slam."
The $260 Million Facelift at Lindner Family Tennis Center Mason
If you haven’t been to the grounds lately, you wouldn’t recognize them. Seriously.
The old vibe was a bit… let’s say "asphalt-heavy." It was a lot of hot pavement and temporary bleachers. That is gone. The project led by Barton Malow and Gensler turned the campus into something that feels more like a park. We’re talking over 40,000 annuals and a thousand-plus trees. They literally removed the asphalt and replaced it with decorative concrete and greenspaces to drop the ambient temperature. It’s basically a botanical garden where people happen to hit 130 mph serves.
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The court count exploded too. It went from 17 courts to 31. That’s a massive jump.
Why the extra courts matter
You might wonder why a venue needs 31 courts. It’s about the "96-player draw." Starting in 2025, the Cincinnati Open (the tournament formerly known as the Western & Southern) expanded its field. More players mean more matches and, more importantly, more practice needs.
The coolest new addition is Champions Court. It’s a sunken stadium that seats about 2,300 people. Because it’s sunken five feet into the ground, you get these 360-degree views that feel incredibly intimate. You’re close enough to hear the players breathing. It’s that sort of access that makes the Lindner Family Tennis Center Mason stand out compared to the massive, impersonal stadiums in New York or Paris.
The New Player Clubhouse
They also built a 56,000-square-foot clubhouse. This isn't just a locker room; it’s a two-story luxury hub with restaurants, wellness centers, and recovery rooms. Players used to hang out in the Paul Flory Player Center, which was fine, but this new spot is on another level. It’s part of the reason the tournament is now regularly ranked alongside the big four Grand Slams in terms of quality.
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Beyond the Cincinnati Open: A Year-Round Hub
Most people think the lights go out at the Lindner Family Tennis Center Mason the second the trophy ceremony ends in August. That used to be somewhat true. But the new vision is a year-round facility.
The OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association) state tennis tournaments have moved back here after a brief hiatus. Imagine being a 17-year-old from a small town in Ohio and getting to play your state finals on the same court where Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek just battled. That’s a huge deal for local sports.
- Pickleball is huge here now: They added six permanent pickleball courts and two padel courts.
- The PPA Tour: In September 2025, the venue hosted the Veolia Cincinnati Showcase, a major pro pickleball event.
- Indoor Facilities: A brand-new six-court indoor building means the tennis doesn't have to stop when the Ohio winter hits.
What it's actually like for a fan
If you're planning a trip, there are some quirks you should know. First, the parking. It’s actually pretty easy compared to other major sports events. You’re mostly parking on grass lots that are part of a golf course. It’s simple, but maybe don't wear your most expensive white sneakers if it rained the night before.
The food is also very "Cincinnati." You’ve got Skyline Chili and Montgomery Inn BBQ right on site. It’s a weird mix of high-end champagne bars and local comfort food.
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The "Center Court" remains the heart of the place. It was built in 1981 and holds over 11,000 people. Even with all the new shiny buildings, that stadium still has the history. The names of the winners—Federer, Nadal, Agassi—are baked into the concrete.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you want to get the most out of the Lindner Family Tennis Center, don't just sit in your ticketed seat all day.
- Check the Practice Schedule: This is the "pro tip." The tournament posts practice times on their site and on big boards around the grounds. Watching a top-5 player practice from five feet away is often better than watching a match from the nosebleeds.
- The South Side is the New Heart: Most of the $260 million investment went into the south and west expansions. Make sure you spend time at the "Commons" area for the best shade and "Champions Court" for the best views.
- Download the App: Honestly, the paper draws are nostalgic, but the app is the only way to keep track of match changes when the weather gets wonky.
- Buy "Grounds Pass" Tickets Early: If you don't care about seeing the absolute top seeds on Center Court, a grounds pass gets you into almost everything else. It’s the best value in professional sports.
The Lindner Family Tennis Center Mason has successfully transitioned from a quiet regional stop to a global powerhouse. It kept its soul—that "tennis in a park" feeling—while adding the infrastructure to compete with the biggest cities in the world. Whether you're there for the 125-year-old tradition of the Cincinnati Open or just to try out the new pickleball courts, the scale of the transformation is something you have to see in person to really get.