What Is 2012 Western & Southern Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2012 Western & Southern Open was a hard-court tennis tournament held from August 13 to August 19, 2012, in Mason, Ohio. It served as a key ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and WTA Premier 5 event leading up to the US Open.

Key Facts

Tournament dates: August 13–19, 2012
Location: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio
Surface: Outdoor hard courts
ATP Masters 1000 and WTA Premier 5 combined event
Novak Djokovic won the men's singles title; Serena Williams won the women's singles title

Overview

The 2012 Western & Southern Open was a prestigious joint ATP and WTA tennis tournament held annually in the United States as part of the US Open Series. It featured top-ranked male and female players competing on outdoor hard courts in Mason, Ohio, just outside Cincinnati.

This edition served as a critical warm-up event for the US Open, offering players a chance to fine-tune their game on similar surfaces. With significant ranking points and prize money on the line, it attracted nearly all of the world’s top contenders.

Event Duration: The tournament ran from August 13 to August 19, 2012, spanning seven days of intense competition across singles and doubles draws.
Location: Held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, a venue known for its high-quality facilities and large seating capacity.
Surface Type: Matches were played on outdoor hard courts, identical to those used at the US Open, making it a strategic preparatory event.
Category: Classified as an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event for men and a WTA Premier 5 tournament for women.
Prize Money: The total purse exceeded $3.2 million, with equal distribution across genders in line with WTA and ATP equity standards.

How It Works

The Western & Southern Open operates as a combined ATP-WTA event, allowing both men and women to compete in singles and doubles during the same week. The structure follows standard professional tennis formats with seeded players and 64-player main draws.

Draw Size: The men's and women's singles draws each featured 64 players, including wildcards, qualifiers, and direct entries based on ATP/WTA rankings.
Seeding: The top 8 players in each draw were seeded to prevent early matchups among top contenders, following ATP and WTA guidelines.
Scoring Format: Matches used standard best-of-three sets, with a 12-point tiebreak at 6-6 in any set except the final set in some matches.
Qualifying Rounds: Held over two days, 32 qualifiers competed for 16 spots in the main draw, giving lower-ranked players a pathway to face top talent.
Player Participation:Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray competed in men's singles, while Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka headlined the women's side.
Final Results: Djokovic defeated Federer in the men’s final 6–0, 7–5, while Williams beat Azarenka 6–1, 6–3 in the women’s championship match.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key aspects between the 2012 Western & Southern Open and two other major hard-court tournaments in the US Open Series.

Tournament	Location	Category	Prize Money	Winner (Men)	Winner (Women)
Western & Southern Open 2012	Mason, Ohio	ATP 1000 / WTA P5	$3.2M	Novak Djokovic	Serena Williams
Canadian Open 2012	Toronto/Montreal	ATP 1000 / WTA P5	$2.9M	Novak Djokovic	Serena Williams
US Open 2012	New York City	Grand Slam	$25.5M	Andy Murray	Serena Williams
Washington Open 2012	Washington, D.C.	ATP 500 / WTA Int	$1.2M	Marin Čilić	Marion Bartoli
Indian Wells 2012	Indian Wells, CA	ATP 1000 / WTA P5	$4.5M	Roger Federer	Venus Williams

This comparison highlights the Western & Southern Open’s significance as a mid-tier Masters event with substantial prize funds and elite participation, bridging the gap between smaller ATP 500s and the Grand Slam level. Its timing and surface make it a critical stop for players adjusting to US Open conditions.

Why It Matters

The 2012 Western & Southern Open played a pivotal role in shaping the momentum and confidence of top players heading into the final Grand Slam of the year. Its results often serve as predictors for US Open performance.

US Open Preparation: The identical hard-court surface allowed players like Djokovic and Williams to test strategies and rhythm before Flushing Meadows.
Rankings Impact: Earning 1000 ranking points for the winner helped solidify positions in the ATP and WTA year-end standings.
Player Confidence: Djokovic’s dominant win over Federer 6–0, 7–5 signaled his strong form, which carried into the US Open semifinals.
Historical Context: Serena Williams’ victory marked her third Western & Southern Open title, reinforcing her dominance on hard courts.
Global Exposure: Broadcast in over 100 countries, the event increased visibility for tennis in the American Midwest.
Economic Impact: The tournament generated an estimated $18 million in local economic activity, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and transportation services.

Ultimately, the 2012 Western & Southern Open was more than just a preparatory tournament—it was a showcase of elite athleticism, strategic depth, and competitive intensity that helped define the late-season tennis calendar.