What Is 2018 Western & Southern Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Western & Southern Open was a men's and women's tennis tournament held from August 13 to August 19, 2018, in Mason, Ohio, part of the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA Premier 5 series.

Key Facts

Tournament dates: August 13–19, 2018
Location: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio
Novak Djokovic won the men’s singles title
Karolína Plíšková won the women’s singles title
Prize money: $5,533,600 total (ATP & WTA combined)

Overview

The 2018 Western & Southern Open was a key hardcourt tennis event serving as a major lead-up to the US Open. Held annually in Mason, Ohio, the tournament attracted top ATP and WTA players preparing for the final Grand Slam of the season.

This edition marked the 117th staging of the event and featured a stacked player field due to its status as a Masters 1000 (ATP) and Premier 5 (WTA) tournament. Played on outdoor hard courts, it combined elite competition with significant ranking points and prize money.

Start date: The tournament began on August 13, 2018, with qualifying rounds preceding main draw action. This early week start allowed players to acclimate before the US Open.
End date: Finals concluded on August 19, 2018, with both men’s and women’s singles champions crowned before the New York swing. This timing made it a critical tune-up event.
Location: The Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, hosted the event. This venue has been the permanent home since 2002, featuring 16 courts and a 10,000-seat center court.
Surface: The tournament was played on Deco Turf II, the same surface used at the US Open. This consistency helped players transition smoothly into the Grand Slam.
Attendance: Over 200,000 fans attended the week-long event, making it one of the most-attended tennis tournaments outside the Grand Slams. Daily attendance averaged 30,000+.

Champions & Results

The 2018 edition saw established stars and rising talents battle for titles, with Novak Djokovic and Karolína Plíšková emerging victorious in singles competition.

Men’s singles: Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer in the final, 6–4, 6–4. This victory marked Djokovic’s first Western & Southern Open title and signaled his return to form after injury struggles.
Women’s singles: Karolína Plíšková beat Kaia Kanepi in straight sets, 6–3, 6–1. This win was Plíšková’s first Premier 5 title and boosted her confidence before the US Open.
Men’s doubles: Mike Bryan and Jack Sock won the title, defeating Nikola Mektić and Alexander Peya 6–2, 6–3. It was Bryan’s fifth title at the event, including previous wins with his brother Bob.
Women’s doubles: Barbora Krejčíková and Kateřina Siniaková captured their first Premier 5 doubles crown by defeating Duan Yingying and Yang Zhaoxuan 6–4, 6–2. The Czech duo was rising in the rankings.
Seeding impact: Djokovic was seeded third, while Federer was second. Plíšková was the eighth seed, defeating higher-ranked players en route to the final, including world No. 2 Simona Halep.
Prize money: The men’s and women’s events each offered $2,766,800 in prize money. Singles champions received $736,000 and 1,000 ranking points, respectively.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2018 Western & Southern Open with prior editions highlights shifts in champions, prize structure, and attendance trends:

Year	Men’s Singles Champion	Women’s Singles Champion	Prize Money (Total)	Attendance
2018	Novak Djokovic	Karolína Plíšková	$5,533,600	200,000+
2017	Grigor Dimitrov	Caroline Garcia	$5,418,000	195,000
2016	Marin Čilić	Victoria Azarenka	$5,363,000	190,000
2015	Roger Federer (x2)	Petra Kvitová	$5,200,000	185,000
2014	Roger Federer	Simona Halep	$5,150,000	180,000

The 2018 tournament saw the highest total prize purse in its history at that point, reflecting growing investment in the event. Attendance also reached a new peak, driven by Djokovic’s return and Federer’s deep run. The competitive field and high-profile matchups contributed to increased media coverage and fan engagement compared to previous years.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Western & Southern Open played a pivotal role in shaping the 2018 US Open Series and the broader tennis season. Its outcomes influenced rankings, momentum, and player confidence heading into the year’s final Grand Slam.

Rankings boost: Djokovic’s win helped him climb back toward the top 10 after injury setbacks. By September, he would reclaim the world No. 1 ranking.
US Open preview: The event served as a key indicator of form. Djokovic and Plíšková both carried momentum into Flushing Meadows, with Djokovic reaching the final.
Player development: Jack Sock’s doubles title with Mike Bryan highlighted successful partnerships. Sock, recovering from injury, used this run to rebuild his game.
Women’s breakthrough: Plíšková’s win marked her first Premier 5 title. This victory solidified her status as a top contender on hard courts.
Historical context: Djokovic became the 10th different men’s singles champion in 10 years, underscoring the tournament’s competitive depth and unpredictability.
Commercial growth: Record prize money and attendance signaled the event’s rising prestige. Sponsors and broadcasters increased investment, expanding global viewership.

The 2018 Western & Southern Open demonstrated the tournament’s importance as a bridge between summer hardcourt events and the US Open. With high stakes and elite participation, it remains a cornerstone of the tennis calendar.