What Is 2014 Western & Southern Open

Overview

The 2014 Western & Southern Open was a joint ATP and WTA tennis event held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati. As a key lead-in to the US Open, the tournament attracted nearly all of the world's top-ranked players, serving as a critical warm-up on hard courts.

Played from August 10 to August 18, 2014, the event featured 96-player men's and 56-player women's singles draws, along with doubles competitions. The tournament was part of the US Open Series, offering ranking points and prize money that influenced standings heading into the final Grand Slam of the year.

• David Ferrer won the men's singles title, defeating Milos Raonic 6–4, 7–6(7–3) in the final after Raonic withdrew due to injury during the second set.
• Serena Williams claimed her third Cincinnati title by defeating Ana Ivanovic 6–4, 6–1, marking her 16th WTA title of the season.
• The tournament offered a combined purse of $3,825,000, with both singles champions earning $578,000.
• Novak Djokovic, the top seed, was eliminated in the semifinals by David Ferrer after winning a tight three-set match.
• Men's doubles champions were Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, who defeated Marcel Granollers and Marc López 6–3, 6–4 in the final.

How It Works

The Western & Southern Open operates as a combined ATP and WTA event, structured around a tiered point and prize system that rewards performance in singles and doubles draws.

• ATP Masters 1000: The men's tournament awards 1,000 ranking points to the winner, placing it among the most significant non-Grand Slam events on the calendar.
• WTA Premier 5: The women's event is one of only five Premier 5 tournaments, offering 1,000 points to the champion and drawing top WTA talent.
• Hard Court Surface: Played on DecoTurf, the same surface used at the US Open, allowing players to fine-tune their game ahead of Flushing Meadows.
• Seeding System: The top 32 players in the ATP and WTA rankings are seeded, ensuring higher-ranked players avoid early-round matchups.
• Qualifying Rounds: Held over two days, 16 players emerge from qualifying to fill spots in the main singles draws for both tours.
• Player Withdrawals: In 2014, Rafael Nadal withdrew before the tournament due to a wrist injury, affecting the men’s draw dynamics.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 Western & Southern Open compares to other major hard-court tournaments:

The Western & Southern Open ranks among the most competitive hard-court events outside the Grand Slams. While prize money is lower than Indian Wells or Miami, its timing—just weeks before the US Open—makes it a crucial stop for players seeking form and confidence on North American courts.

Why It Matters

The 2014 Western & Southern Open played a pivotal role in shaping the momentum and rankings of top players entering the final Grand Slam of the year. Its outcomes influenced seeding, confidence, and injury management strategies for the US Open.

• Serena Williams extended her dominance in 2014, improving her season record to 23–1 after her Cincinnati victory.
• David Ferrer’s win marked his first Masters 1000 title of the year and boosted his ATP ranking ahead of the US Open.
• The tournament highlighted the rising threat of Grigor Dimitrov, who reached the semifinals before losing to Ferrer.
• For organizers, the event drew over 175,000 fans, underscoring its status as one of the most attended outdoor tennis events in the U.S.
• Its inclusion in the US Open Series meant that performance here could double prize money at the US Open through bonus challenges.
• The 2014 edition also tested new scheduling formats, including extended match windows, to improve player recovery and fan experience.

Ultimately, the 2014 Western & Southern Open served as a proving ground for elite players, combining high stakes, intense competition, and real-world implications for the remainder of the season.