CINCINNATI, December 18, 2020 (Press Release)
The Western & Southern Open announced on Wednesday it has made a $100,000 donation to the Barrett Cancer Center at UC Health in appreciation for the support of the tournament’s longtime title sponsor Western & Southern Financial Group.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Western & Southern Open was held at the USTA’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. To affirm the commitment to its traditional home market of Cincinnati, the tournament pledged to make a donation to a local charity in the Queen City.
“The unusual circumstances for the tournament in 2020 have also presented unique opportunities, and we are grateful for the Western & Southern Open’s support of the Barrett Cancer Center,” John Barrett, Western & Southern Financial Group Chairman, President and CEO. “Contributing to our Greater Cincinnati community is of the utmost importance for both the Western & Southern Financial Group and the Western & Southern Open. We are proud to be able to continue doing so and look forward to this wonderful tennis tournament returning to our city in 2021.”
Since 2002, Western & Southern Financial Group has held naming rights for the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournament which is held each August in Mason, Ohio. The title sponsorship is the longest running for any North American professional tennis tournament.
“Western & Southern Financial Group continues its long history of being a fantastic partner for our tournament and an exemplary corporate citizen here in Cincinnati,” said Western & Southern Open COO Katie Haas. “We are grateful for their ongoing support and are pleased to make this contribution on their behalf to the Barrett Cancer Center.”
The Western & Southern Open annually supports the Cincinnati community through donations from Tennis For Charity which have resulted in more than $11 million in total contributions
The 2020 Western & Southern Open singles champions were Victoria Azarenka and Novak Djokovic, while the doubles titles were won by team of Kveta Peschke and Demi Schuurs as well as the duo of Pablo Carreno Busta and Alex de Minaur. The tournament was the first combined event to be held following a five-month suspension in play due to the pandemic.
The Western & Southern Open is scheduled to be held Aug. 14-22, 2021, in Cincinnati.