CINCINNATI – The media was invited to get a sneak peek of all the new features at this year’s Cincinnati Open tennis tournament.

The Lindner Family Tennis Center has been renovated and although more renovations are still to come, fans will still find many things different than in previous years at the Mason facility.

The first thing people will notice is that the bench seats they sat on in the stands are gone – instead, padded stadium-style seats have been put in. The bench seats in the lower tiers are more padded and the more expensive seats even come with cooling switches so fans can keep cool as the games heat up.

Katie Cepero

The tournament’s new owners, Beemok Capital, have also unveiled new merchandise, from clothing to beverage containers, featuring the tournament’s new logo.

The Cincinnati Open, formerly known as the Western & Southern Open, will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2024. When the tournament was first held in 1899, it was called the Cincinnati Open for its first two years.

Katie Cepero

In the run-up to the 2023 tournament, Beemok has added new areas, including a fan zone with additional green spaces, shade canopies, an entertainment stage and a kids’ zone, as well as other interactive areas with the players.

Beemok released renderings earlier this year showing the company’s redesign plans ahead of the 2024 tournament, which included two new hospitality areas and new practice courts. These hospitality areas included redesigned suites and a new vision for the top deck at Center Court.

“These improvements are another step in our ongoing investment to improve the facility and the experience for all Cincinnati Open attendees,” said Bob Moran, president of Beemok Sports & Entertainment, in a press release.

Katie Cepero

According to Beemok’s March announcement, the Top Deck at Center Court has been completely redesigned, with part of it converted into a new space called The Oasis, “an exclusive hospitality offering for select ticket buyers.”

The oasis is designed in the style of an Italian courtyard, where selected ticket buyers can study an exclusive menu with highlights from Veroni Charcuterie.

The media got a first look at some of the culinary offerings that will be available to fans at this year’s Cincinnati Open: from colorful salads and small snacks to sushi and jam-packed fruit bowls from Playa Bowls.

Katie Cepero

Sonder Brewing has also released a special grapefruit Kölsch called “Causing a Racket” for fans to sip while watching.

Beemok also announced that work on the Lindner Family Tennis Center is not over yet. More work will be done after this year’s tournament as the Cincinnati Open tournament will expand its field size from 56 to 96 players.

Katie Cepero

This expansion means Beemok plans to build a brand new players building, a multi-court indoor tennis facility, improved on-site food and beverage offerings, an additional 10 tennis courts, and the installation of six pickleball courts.

“While tennis is the main attraction, we want to create a world-class environment for all spectators to enjoy between matches,” Moran said.