MASON, Ohio — Some big names are in the preliminary player fields for the 2023 Western & Southern Open this August.
The initial list of tournament participants includes the top 41 men and 39 women in the world, including World No. 1 players Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek. Alcaraz, 20, is the reigning US Open champion and won his first Wimbledon title this month.
Also listed is Wimbledon finalist Novak Djokovic, who hasn’t played in a tournament in the US since 2021. He withdrew from the Western & Southern Open in 2021, saying he needed to “get back on his feet and recover.” In 2022, Djokovic was unable to compete in the US due to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which has since ended for international travelers.
Americans Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul are among the ATP competitors. Also featured are former Western & Southern Open champions Daniil Medvedev, Grigor Dimitrov and Andy Murray.
Caroline Wozniacki, wild card entrant is coming out of retirement to compete in Cincinnati. Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova is on the entry list along with Americans Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Madison Keys.
“As one of the world’s premier tournaments, it’s not surprising to see an elite field enter for a chance to win the Western & Southern Open,” tournament director Todd Martin said in a press release. “We look forward to these world-class players coming to Cincinnati to write another chapter in the event’s rich history as they aim to win one of the biggest events of their season.”
The 2023 Western & Southern Open kicks off with a two-round qualifying tournament on August 12-13.
While this year’s tournament continues as usual, its new owner has laid out plans to move the competition to Charlotte. The tournament bills itself as the oldest American tennis tournament still taking place in its hometown, but that could change as Charlotte has approved $65 million for a tennis facility that will host the Western & Southern Open.
