Zverev: Cincinnati Open now has the "best" facilities
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Center court at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Photo: Casey Weldon/Axios
German tennis star Alexander Zverev barely recognizes the Cincinnati Open venue where he won it all in 2021.
Why it matters: Last year's $260 million facelift transformed the Mason tennis complex, allowing the tournament to expand to two weeks and securing its long-term future in the region.
Driving the news: Zverev, the top seed at this year's tournament, told reporters the renovated Lindner Family Tennis Center has gone from "probably the worst (tournament) facility-wise to probably the best now."
Other players agree. They voted the Cincinnati Open as the ATP Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year in 2025.
- "We have multiple gyms. We have plenty of courts to practice on. We have great outdoor areas. We have great food," Zverev said. "For me, I think the changes that have been made are unbelievable and fantastic to see all within a year."
What's next: Center court will host college basketball games in October.
- Zverev endorsed the idea, for the most part: "It’s going to be interesting with the winds," he joked. "The center court is very windy."
It's part of a regional push to use the complex beyond the tournament, with public racquet courts and a restaurant and bar that hosts live music and trivia.
- "We had 285,000 people here for last year's tournament from all 50 states and 65 countries. While all of that is extremely important to us, this is our home, this is our community," said Cincinnati Tennis COO Jansen Dell, who oversees the site's year-round operations.
Zverev's just glad the facility has a life beyond tennis, especially center court.
- "It being empty for an entire year (after the tournament)… is quite sad because it’s an amazing stadium," he said.