What Is 2019 Western & Southern Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Western & Southern Open was a professional tennis tournament held from August 12 to August 18, 2019, in Mason, Ohio. It was part of the ATP Tour Masters 1000 and WTA Premier 5 series, featuring top-ranked players like Daniil Medvedev and Madison Keys.

Key Facts

Tournament dates: August 12–18, 2019
Location: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio
Daniil Medvedev won the men’s singles title, defeating David Goffin in the final
Madison Keys claimed the women’s singles title by beating Svetlana Kuznetsova
The event was an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA Premier 5 combined tournament

Overview

The 2019 Western & Southern Open was a major professional tennis tournament held annually as part of the US Open Series. It served as a key warm-up event for the US Open, attracting top ATP and WTA players preparing for the final Grand Slam of the season.

Played on outdoor hard courts, the tournament brought together elite men's and women's competition in a combined format. Its placement just before the US Open made it a critical opportunity for players to fine-tune their game and gain momentum.

Event duration: The tournament ran from August 12 to August 18, 2019, following a seven-day match schedule for both singles and doubles draws.
Venue: Held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, a suburban area near Cincinnati, which has hosted the event since 1979.
Surface: Matches were played on DecoTurf hard courts, the same surface used at the US Open, providing ideal preparation for Flushing Meadows.
Men’s singles champion:Daniil Medvedev won his first Masters 1000 title by defeating David Goffin 7–6(3), 6–4 in the final.
Women’s singles champion:Madison Keys captured her first Premier 5 title by defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova 7–5, 7–6(5) in a tightly contested final.

How It Works

The Western & Southern Open operates as a combined ATP and WTA event, featuring both men's and women's competitions under one roof. It follows a structured format with seeded players, qualifying rounds, and a main draw culminating in championship matches.

ATP Masters 1000: The men’s tournament is part of the ATP Tour Masters 1000 series, offering 1000 ranking points to the winner and featuring a 56-player singles draw.
WTA Premier 5: The women’s event is classified as a WTA Premier 5 tournament, the second-highest tier on the WTA Tour, with 900 points awarded to the champion.
Seeding: The top 32 players in each draw are seeded based on rankings, ensuring higher-ranked players avoid early matchups unless drawn against each other.
Qualifying rounds:16 players compete in pre-tournament qualifying for both ATP and WTA events, with 4 qualifiers advancing to the main singles draw.
Doubles format: Doubles events feature 32-team draws, with matches played in best-of-three sets, including a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set.
Prize money: The 2019 total purse was $5.5 million, split between ATP and WTA events, with singles champions earning approximately $1 million combined in ranking points and prize funds.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key aspects between the ATP and WTA events at the 2019 Western & Southern Open:

Category	ATP Men’s Event	WTA Women’s Event
Tournament Level	ATP Masters 1000	WTA Premier 5
Singles Draw Size	56 players	56 players
Points for Winner	1000	900
Prize Money (Est.)	$2.7 million	$2.8 million
2019 Singles Champion	Daniil Medvedev	Madison Keys

This table highlights the near-equal structure of the two tours at this event, despite differing point allocations. The parity in prize money and draw size reflects ongoing efforts toward gender equity in professional tennis, particularly in combined events like this one.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Western & Southern Open had significant implications for player rankings, Grand Slam preparation, and the broader tennis calendar. Its timing and prestige elevated its importance beyond just another tour stop.

US Open preparation: As the final Masters/Premier 5 event before the US Open, it allowed players to adjust to hard-court conditions and build match fitness.
Rankings impact: Winning or advancing deep in the draw could shift the ATP and WTA rankings, influencing seedings for the US Open.
Rise of Medvedev: Daniil Medvedev’s victory marked his first Masters 1000 title, signaling his emergence as a top-tier player.
Madison Keys’ breakthrough: Her win was her first Premier 5 title, boosting her confidence ahead of a strong US Open run.
Player participation: The event attracted 19 of the top 20 ATP players and 17 of the top 20 WTA players, underscoring its elite status.
Economic impact: The tournament generated an estimated $25 million in regional economic impact, supporting local businesses and tourism.

Overall, the 2019 Western & Southern Open served as a pivotal moment in the tennis season, blending high-stakes competition with broader implications for players and the sport’s ecosystem.