Tennis

Served with Andy Roddick: A Live Episode from CincinnatiIn the latest episode of the "Served with Andy Roddick" podcast, recorded live from the Cincinnati Open, Roddick welcomed special guests Matteo Berrettini and Bob Moran to discuss the tournament's legacy and the future of tennis.Berrettini, who has won three tour titles in 2024 despite facing injuries, shared his perspective on overcoming setbacks. "I've always considered myself as someone who was good at coming back," he said. He also spoke about the rise of young Italian players like Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti, expressing pride in their accomplishments.Roddick questioned Berrettini about his experience filming "Break Point," the Netflix series that followed players behind the scenes. Berrettini admitted to being excited about the opportunity but hesitated when asked if he would do it again.Bob Moran, the man responsible for keeping Cincinnati as a tournament site, emphasized the city's passion for sports. He announced an expansion of the draw from 56 to 96 players, increasing the tournament's scale and fan engagement.Roddick praised Cincinnati's unique atmosphere, saying, "The passion I felt in Cincinnati was unmatched anywhere else I went." He highlighted the practice areas as a special aspect of the tournament.The episode concluded with a Q&A session with fans, covering topics such as the future of tennis and potential breakthroughs among players ranked 11 to 30.Tennis analyst Jon Wertheim expressed his interest in the sport's direction, emphasizing the need to maximize its virtues. "Tennis is a wonderful sport," he said. "It's men, it's women, it travels all around the world, it's guys that are 21 and guys that are 37."

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion, is set to make a rare appearance in a WTA qualifying match this weekend at the Cincinnati Open. The former world No. 1, who is currently ranked No. 95, will face Anna Blinkova on Sunday in an attempt to secure a spot in the main draw of the WTA 1000 event.Osaka's return to qualifying marks a significant milestone in her comeback season after her 2023 maternity leave. The 26-year-old has been steadily climbing the rankings since her return in January, when she was ranked No. 833.The main-draw cut-off for direct entry into the tournament was world No. 49 Viktoriya Tomova of Bulgaria. However, Osaka's determination to regain her former glory is evident in her willingness to play through qualifying.Should Osaka defeat Blinkova, she will face either her compatriot Moyuka Uchijima or 20-year-old American Ashlyn Krueger for a place in the main draw. Osaka last played qualifying in Doha in 2018, seven months before winning her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.Osaka's journey back to the top of the game has been marked by both challenges and resilience. Despite suffering some tough losses, she remains committed to her goal. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get back to where I feel like I deserve to be," she said.The Cincinnati Open features a star-studded field, including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. Defending champion Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jasmine Paolini, and Jessica Pegula are also among the top seeds.Osaka's performance in Cincinnati will be closely watched as she continues her quest to regain her status as one of the world's best tennis players.

Naomi Osaka's preparations for the US Open hit a snag when United Airlines misplaced her luggage, threatening her participation in the Cincinnati Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion took to social media to express her concern, tagging the airline and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.United Airlines promptly responded, promising assistance. Within three hours, the airline confirmed that Osaka's bags had been located. The tournament's transportation team then retrieved the luggage, and Osaka announced its recovery on Saturday morning.Osaka's luggage contained essential gear for her US Open preparations. She is scheduled to play in the main draw of the WTA 1000 tournament in Mason, Ohio, which begins Tuesday. Osaka reached the quarterfinals in Cincinnati in 2019 and won the event in 2020, albeit at a different venue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The Cincinnati Open is a crucial tournament for Osaka as she aims to regain her form ahead of the US Open. She suffered a second-round loss to Elise Mertens in Toronto and will be eager to bounce back in Cincinnati.Osaka's luggage mishap highlights the importance of efficient baggage handling for athletes traveling to tournaments. Lost or delayed luggage can disrupt training schedules and affect performance. United Airlines' prompt response and the tournament's assistance ensured that Osaka's preparations were not derailed.

The Cincinnati Open, a prestigious tennis tournament with a rich 125-year history, is set to undergo a transformative $260 million renovation ahead of its expanded 2025 edition. The entire Lindner Family Tennis Center campus will be reimagined to enhance the fan and player experience.The centerpiece of the renovation is a new sunken stadium court, which will accommodate 2,000 spectators and become the fourth largest permanent stadium on the campus. This addition will increase the tournament's capacity and facilitate its expansion to a 96-player draw over 12 days.For players, a state-of-the-art two-story player center will provide a luxurious and functional space. The 56,000 square-foot facility will feature lounge and restaurant areas, wellness and recovery rooms, and expanded locker rooms. The existing player facilities will also be upgraded.The campus will also boast a new six-court indoor facility, six pickleball courts, and two padel courts. Center Court and Grandstand Court will receive a modern metal panel ribbon facade, creating a cohesive and visually appealing campus.The renovation aims to create a "park-like feel" throughout the grounds, with increased green space, trees, and a fresh color palette. The design incorporates regional building materials and honors the tournament's history through art and iconography."We are ushering in a new era at the Cincinnati Open," said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment. "These projects will create an unparalleled experience for our fans and players, and build upon the storied history of this event."