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Cincinnati Masters

Cincinnati Open 2026 Preview: Sinner, Djokovic and Alcaraz All Return

JD
Jonathan Davies
Cincinnati Masters · 31 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

The Cincinnati Open runs from 11 to 23 August 2026 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, and it has the field the Canadian Open did not. Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz all skipped Montreal. All three are entered here.

That makes this the strongest hard-court field of the summer and the real form guide for the US Open, which begins in New York on 30 August. Qualifying is on 11 and 12 August, the main draws start on 13 August and the singles finals are on Sunday 23 August.

Key Facts

Dates 11-23 August 2026 (main draw from 13 August)
Venue Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio
Surface Hard court (outdoor)
Category ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000, 96-player singles draws
Prize money $9,415,725 (ATP) and $7,433,076 (WTA)
Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek
UK TV Sky Sports Tennis and NOW

The Men: A Field Canada Did Not Get

Alcaraz defends the title he won in 2025, and this is the tournament he has targeted for his return from the wrist injury that cost him Roland-Garros and Wimbledon. How much match sharpness he has is the open question of the fortnight.

Djokovic plays Cincinnati for the first time since winning it in 2023. He has a particular history here: in 2018 he became the first man to complete the Career Golden Masters by winning all nine Masters 1000 events, and he did it in Cincinnati at the sixth attempt, having lost five previous finals at the venue.

Sinner arrives as world No. 1 and the defending Wimbledon champion. Behind the big three, Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and Daniil Medvedev all have hard-court pedigree, and Learner Tien continues a season that has already produced wins over Medvedev and Shelton.

The Women: Swiatek Defends, Sabalenka Leads

Swiatek returns as defending champion, with Aryna Sabalenka the world No. 1 and Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva and Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova all in the field.

The notable absentees are the two players who contested the Canadian Open final: Victoria Mboko and Naomi Osaka have both withdrawn.

A Tournament Older Than Almost Everything

Cincinnati was first played in 1899. Among American tennis tournaments only the US Open is older, and the event predates the Rose Bowl, the Indianapolis 500 and the Masters. It was the Western & Southern Open from 2002 until reverting to its original name in 2024 for its 125th anniversary. Roger Federer holds the men’s record with seven singles titles.

How to Watch in the UK

Sky Sports Tennis and NOW carry the Cincinnati Open in the UK. Bet365 also offers live streaming to eligible account holders. Full details are in our how to watch tennis guide.

FAQ

Cincinnati Open 2026 FAQs

When is the Cincinnati Open 2026?
The Cincinnati Open runs from 11 to 23 August 2026 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. Qualifying is on 11 and 12 August, the main draws begin on 13 August, and the singles finals are on Sunday 23 August.
Are Sinner, Djokovic and Alcaraz playing at Cincinnati?
Yes, all three are entered, having all skipped the Canadian Open the week before. Carlos Alcaraz is using Cincinnati as his comeback from the wrist injury that cost him Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, and Novak Djokovic plays here for the first time since winning the title in 2023.
Who are the defending Cincinnati Open champions?
Carlos Alcaraz won the 2025 men’s title and Iga Swiatek won the women’s. Both are entered again in 2026.
How can I watch the Cincinnati Open in the UK?
Sky Sports Tennis and NOW carry the Cincinnati Open in the UK, and Bet365 offers live streaming to eligible account holders. Full details are in our how to watch tennis guide.

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