Various legendary players have claimed the Cincinnati Open title since professionals were allowed to enter the competition in 1968.
Players such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams have lifted the esteemed Cincinnati Open trophy since the Open Era began in 1968.
The tournament was first contested in 1899 at the current site of Xavier University. The first Ladies Singles champion was American Myrtle McAteer.
In fact, an American woman won the tournament every year until 1909, when British player Edith Hannam won the title
However, until 1968, only amateur players competed at the event, restricting access for professional players.
Upon the introduction of the Open Era in 1968, professional players were allowed to compete alongside amateurs.
In the Cincinnati Open’s first year as an Open Era event, an Australian woman won the Ladies Singles title. This same woman would go on to captain Australia’s Fed Cup team.
Meet Lesley Turner Bowrey
Lesley Turner Bowrey, now 82 years old, was a professional tennis player who competed on the amateur and professional tours between the late 1950’s and the late 1970’s.
Bowrey was a high achiever, capturing 13 Grand Slam titles across her career. She won two French Open singles titles and 11 Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles titles.
The Australian also reached a career high of world number two in 1964.
In 1969, Bowrey captured the first Cincinnati Open Ladies Singles title of the Open Era, defeating France’s Gail Chanfreau in the final.
After her professional career, Bowrey captained Australia’s Federation Cup team from 1994 to 2000. In 1997, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
In 2009, Bowrey was appointed as Member of the Order of Australia, for service to tennis as a player, coach and mentor to junior players, and to the community.’
The 2024 Cincinnati Open champion
Fast forward 55 years and we have a Belarusian player sitting at the top of women’s tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka is the reigning Cincinnati Open Ladies Singles champion after defeating Jessica Pegula 6-3 7-5 in the final.
The Belarusian and American would go on to contest a rematch shortly after their Cincinnati battle. They contested the 2024 US Open final, with Sabalenka again victorious.
Sabalenka will go into this year’s tournament as the number one seed and one of the favourites to lift the title. However, she will face strong competition from the likes of Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek, both of whom have won a Grand Slam title this year.
