Ground Pass On-Site

Saved the best for last. You probably don’t know this about me, but I love plants. I pretty much live in a greenhouse. So when I first stepped onto the grounds of the new Cincinnati Open I knew I had to talk to whoever was responsible for the landscaping.

The person responsible for creating this tennis secret garden is Christopher LaMond. He has been with the tournament for 15 years, and I got to sit with him to talk about how the design came together for the new landscaping for the tournament using the theme “Tennis Garden.”

One of my favorite takeaways from the chat is how this is a living, breathing organism. This year lays the foundation for the next and will only be better as the years go on.

Today was my last day on the grounds, and I took it slow and easy as I do most last days at a tournament.

Player Interviews

* Ella Seidel – who had such a great run this tournament and got herself into the Top 100.

* Carlos Alcaraz – who continues to find his form and talked about what it’s like waiting to play his match.

* Evan King and Chris Harrison – the No. 1 doubles team in the U.S. They have come a long way from not being able to enter even qualifying of tournaments with their ranking to now being in the Top 20 of the world.

Last year I attended my first Challenger in Champaign, Illinois, and first interviewed Evan King there. It was a small venue with a little crowd, and at the end of this interview he said to me: “We’ve come a long way since Champaign.”

We have come a long way. Ground Pass has grown so much since then, and I am grateful to all of you that make that possible. Below is the video we made at that Challenger.

What’s Next

Next stop for us — New York, baby. US Open. So much more to come.

Let’s start the Day 6 recap with an apology. I have failed you.

I had grand ideas of doing a full-on mukbang while covering the food at the Cincinnati Open. But it’s been a long summer of traveling to tennis tournaments, and between trying to save on costs and also eat a little healthier to keep my energy up on site, it just didn’t happen.

That said, when it comes to food, the Cincinnati Open definitely gives you a taste of the local cuisine. If you want to try the delicacy that is Skyline chili, you can dive right in. And there are plenty of other options too, so you can always find something that works for you.

There are also water refill spots all around the grounds. I’d encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle to save on buying water, but if you want to grab something from the merch shop, a water bottle is the way to go. It even comes with ice that you can use while you’re here. I bought a white one last year, and this year they had a blue version—it took all my willpower not to get another.

Which brings me to the Merch Store, always a popular stop on site. Lines form early, and it feels like everyone has some piece of merch. If you’re going to buy one thing, I’d recommend the water bottle.

Player Interviews

The post-match interviews of the day were:

* Terence Atmane – After his win against João Fonseca. This is now part of a Meet the Player episode. Watch it below.

* Jessica Bouzas Maniero – After her win against Taylor Townsend. She’s had a really strong year and continues to solidify her position as Spain’s No. 2 woman.

* Holger Rune – Came through press. And discussed how he handled he heat on a particularly hot day.

* Emma Raducanu & Aryna Sabalenka – Their match was the Match of the Day. Both came through press afterward, and I’ll be making a Match Story about this one.

Emma

Aryna

* Taylor Fritz – Answered the important question: what’s the right technique for breaking a racket?

🎧 All interviews are linked.

Today’s focus: Fan Zones.

If you’re heading to the Cincinnati Open, you won’t have to worry about finding a spot to rest in the shade, meet up with friends, or grab a bite to eat—there are fan zones everywhere.

The largest space is The Common, located right next to the main food stalls. It’s packed with umbrellas for sun protection, and there’s a stage where live music plays throughout the day. Matches are also broadcast here, so you can catch the action while relaxing.

Beyond The Common, smaller vignettes are scattered around the grounds—benches, couches, beach chairs, and even grassy patches where you can stretch out between matches.

Near the northside entrance, across from Stadium 3, there’s a smaller fan zone featuring sponsor booths and a kids’ area with games and space to run around.

All in all, there’s something for every type of fan, whether you’re looking to recharge, be entertained, or just enjoy the atmosphere.

Player Interviews

Post-match press highlights from Day 5:

* Jasmine Paolini – Working to regain confidence in the second half of the season.

* Coco Gauff – Admitted to a Love Island obsession.

* Andrey Rublev – Shared how keeping his emotions in check helped him beat Learner Tien, who recently got the better of him in DC.

* Jessica Pegula – Talked about the upcoming stretch where she has big points to defend, plus the player council’s take on the two-week Masters.

* Carlos Alcaraz – Explained why he went straight to practice after his win over Damir Dzumhur.

I’m also working on a longer Meet the Players piece on Ella Seidel and Iva Jovic, which will be coming later this summer.

🎧 All available press audio is included.

Today’s focus: Outer Courts.

There are seven main outer courts at the Cincinnati Open. Court 4 and Court 10 are the largest—Court 10 being the famous sunken court. Courts 5 through 9, lined up in a row on the north side of the site, are all identical in size with short rows of stadium-style seating.

Before Champions Court existed, Court 10 was my favorite. The sunken court design creates an intimate feel while giving off the vibe of watching gladiators in battle. Courts 5–9, while more modest, are equally special—they’re small and close enough that you can really appreciate the variety of strokes, spins, and playing styles at this level.

And at a Masters 1000 event with a 96-player draw, the early rounds are packed with talent on these courts. In Round 2 alone, the outer courts hosted Felix Auger-Aliassime, Lorenzo Musetti, and Marta Kostyuk.

The size an intimacy of these outer courts also means its the best chance of a signature or selfie from your favourite player

You know our Ground Pass motto: come early and head to an outside court.

Player Interviews

The standout press conference today was from Iga Świątek—what started as match talk quickly turned into a lively discussion about Wicked the musical, her thoughts on it, and the popular shows she still hasn’t seen.

Other highlights:

* Holger Rune – Discussed working with new physio Marco Panichi and his relationship with Andre Agassi.

* Jannik Sinner – Confirmed his arm sleeve is not a fashion statement.

* Stefanos Tsitsipas – Shared what he likes to do between matches.

* Madison Keys – Talked about the improvements to the new site.

* Emma Raducanu – Spoke about her new coaching partnership and how it’s helping her develop her game.

* Ben Shelton – Pre Tornament

🎧 All available press audio is included.

Today’s focus: Show Courts.

The Cincinnati Open has four show courts this year—three returning favorites and one brand new addition:

* Center Court

* Grandstand

* Stadium 3

* Champions Court (Court 21) – new for 2025

With the expanded player field, these courts allow the tournament to spread out the star power, giving fans multiple ways to see big names in action. Center Court and Grandstand (with some general admission sections) require reserved tickets for each session, but Stadium 3 and Champions Court are general admission—meaning you can watch top players without a premium seat.

Case in point: Emma Raducanu played on Champions Court today to a completely packed crowd. This court is quickly becoming my favorite—it’s the smallest and most intimate of the four, and the surrounding landscaping makes it the most beautiful spot on the grounds.

My least favorite? Stadium 3. It’s functional but austere, and the lack of baseline seating feels like a missed opportunity for a large show court.

One quirk I love: Center Court and Grandstand intersect via a shared walkway. There’s surprisingly little noise crossover between matches, and it makes moving between the two quick and easy for fans.

Player Interviews

The weather was the star of post-match press today—hot, humid, and oppressive. Standing still for photos was brutal; playing tennis in those conditions? Unreal. But as several players noted, this is what they train for in the offseason—whether it’s for the North American summer or the Australian Open.

Highlights:

* Lulu Sun – An absolute revelation today. I hope these interviews help you get to know players like her—talents who don’t always get much media attention but have incredible backstories.

* Caroline Garcia – While the audio didn’t come out clean, she shared great reflections on her upcoming retirement at the US Open and her excitement for life after tennis, including her podcast.

* Ajla Tomljanović – Spoke about the rise of younger players and what it means for her career.

* Maria Sakkari – Shared her perspective on the new two-week Masters format.

* Ethan Quinn – Discussed playing through illness to notch a big win against a tough opponent.

* Taylor Townsend – Took us to school…

Looking Ahead

Day 4 means the start of Round 2—and with it, the arrival of the top seeds. It’s going to be even busier. Tomorrow’s focus: the Outer Courts.

🎧 All available press audio is included.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s dispatch, I’m breaking down one feature of the new Cincinnati Open grounds each day while I’m here. Today’s focus: practice courts.

The Practice Court Upgrade

The practice court setup is so much better than last year. There’s now a permanent, dedicated area with significantly more seating, so you’re no longer crammed against a wire fence, standing for hours to catch a glimpse of a favorite player. With seating all the way around the structure, the views are much improved too.

Last year, there were blind spots where you couldn’t see parts of the court unless you were a particularly daring fan willing to go to extreme lengths. Now, most of those issues are solved.

That said, there’s still room for improvement. Some of the elevated seating sections have obstructed views—so obstructed, in fact, that you can’t see the court at all from certain spots. It’s fixable, and hopefully the tournament takes a look at it before next year.

There are also other courts around the grounds that double as both practice courts and match courts, all with upgraded seating. With the expanded player fields, there’s plenty of space for everyone to get their training in on site. The show courts themselves often serve as practice venues before the day’s matches start or between sessions.

Overall: a big improvement, with a few tweaks needed.

Media Day & Player Press

Today brought a busy mix of pre-tournament and post-match press:

* Amanda Anisimova – Reflected on her Wimbledon loss and the strong bounce-back she’s had since, plus her love for being back on hard courts—her favorite surface.

* Coco Gauff – Broke the news she won’t be playing doubles at the US Open (a disappointment for many), but hinted at a possible custom dress for the tournament.

* Venus Williams – Shared thoughtful takeaways after her loss to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

* Jessica Bouzas Maneiro – Spoke about her match against Venus and her own momentum.

* João Fonseca

* & Markéta Vondroušová – Checked in post-match.

🎧 All press conference audio is attached.

Coming Soon on Ground Pass

I also recorded two special interviews for upcoming Meet the Players and coaching-focused episodes:

* Maya Joint – Rising star and future Meet the Players feature.

* Brian Garber – Coach to Ethan Quinn, sharing insights on player development for a Meet the Professionals episode.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss them when they drop.

Wow.

That’s all I could say when I stepped onto the new and improved Cincinnati Open grounds for the first time. And from what I’ve heard, a lot of the players are feeling the same way.

After the last ball was struck here in 2024, construction began immediately on a massive upgrade to prepare for this year’s expanded draw. The tournament has officially joined the 10-day Masters 1000 club, with 96-player draws on both the WTA and ATP sides. The plans were ambitious—bigger fields, bigger space, bigger everything. Could they actually pull it off?

They did. And then some.

The whole place has that new car smell. It’s like seeing an old friend from high school who’s had a glow-up, or like when your neighbors win the lottery and suddenly have a perfectly manicured lawn and a sleek new mailbox. You are like “Oh, they got money!”

This is still the Cincinnati Open—but it’s Cincinnati 2.0.

Even though I’ve been to these grounds before, Day 1 was all about getting the lay of the land again. Some things feel familiar, but so much has changed and in all the right ways. Over the next few days, I’ll be spotlighting different parts of the revamped site and how they’ve improved since last year:

* Practice Courts

* Show Courts

* Outside Courts

* Food & Fan Areas

* Landscaping & Layout

Stay tuned as I break down the upgrades from the ground up.

Media Day Vibes

Today was also Media Day—a usually chaotic but fun stretch spent waiting for players to come through the press area. For a lot of them, it’s the first time we’ve seen them since Wimbledon, so it was great to catch up.

Below, you’ll find audio snippets from the pre-tournament press conferences with:

* Venus Williams

* Iga Świątek

* Aryna Sabalenka

* Jannik Sinner

* Carlos Alcaraz

🎧 Give them a listen—and welcome to Cincinnati.

Venus is out of the Citi DC Open… so we are too.

Hahaha. In all seriousness—what a run.

Watching Venus Williams compete this week was like living through a sports documentary in real time. It was raw, emotional, and inspiring. Athletes like her are just built different. And if you didn’t walk away from this tournament feeling even a little bit more motivated—what will do it for you?

Venus lost in the second round to Magdalena Fręch, but honestly, that match offered another lesson worth taking in. Fręch was asked in press—seven different ways—how she felt playing a legend like Venus, in front of a home crowd that was cheering loudly against her. And she gave the same answer every time:

“I just focused on myself.”

She accepted the moment for what it was. She didn’t try to change the energy or shrink under the occasion. She just focused on her game and made sure to take care of her serve. Isn’t that something we can all learn from?

Earlier in the Day

Going back to the start of the day—it felt like most day-session ticket holders were there for one reason: Naomi Osaka vs. Emma Raducanu.

Daniil Medvedev got things rolling by speeding through his match to reach the quarterfinals.

I asked him about Adhithya Ganesan, the young American who lost in qualifying but stayed on as a hitting partner. I’d overheard Medvedev complimenting his serve earlier in the day during his pre match practice, so I asked what he looks for in a pre-match practice partner. 🎧 Audio below.

Then came the headline match, and well… it mostly went one way. Emma Raducanu looked confident, calm, and dangerous—serving well, moving beautifully, and playing with joy. A scary combo for the field ahead

.

Naomi, for her part, was upbeat in press. She knows what she needs to do, and even though the loss stung, it didn’t shake her. She was in good spirits and already looking forward.

Townsend’s Win, Leylah’s Update, and Some Bonus Pod News

Taylor Townsend picked up a fantastic win over Sofia Kenin, flipping the result of their Wimbledon match earlier this year. She came into press ready to talk—nearly 20 minutes of thoughtful answers and insight.

I’m putting together a bonus podcast episode with sounds and scenes from the Citi Open, and her quotes will definitely be included. I’ve got a vision for this episode—I just hope I can execute it the way I want to.

So who will Taylor face next? Quite possibly her former doubles partner: Leylah Fernandez.

I asked Leylah what that matchup would feel like, and yes—I also followed up on the other storyline: her search for a date. Breaking news: she’s got one, and it’s currently set for Montreal. 😏

More Raducanu + Rybakina on the Outer Courts

Emma Raducanu wasn’t done for the day. She and Elena Rybakina won their doubles match later in the day. Like all the doubles this week, the match was played on an outer court, and what a treat it was. That court was packed, and it was absolutely worth the price of admission.

I asked Emma in press how this doubles partnership came about. Her answer?

“I ask her on the practice courts.”

Tennis, man.

Signing Off from DC

Taylor Fritz played the last match on site, and with that, Ground Pass is headed back home to New York.

Before we go, I want to take a moment to say thank you. To everyone who came up to say hi, who mentioned the podcast, who told me they follow Ground Pass—you have no idea how much that means to me.

Sometimes, for my own sanity or self-preservation, I convince myself that I’m talking into the void… that no one’s really paying attention to our tiny-but-mighty show.

But this week, you shattered that illusion. And I’m so grateful.

I hope we’re giving you something valuable—something that helps you navigate the tennis world with more confidence, and maybe even inspires you to plan a trip to a tournament yourself. Because believe it or not, these events are more accessible than you think.

See you at the next one.

It was just one of those days.

A Wednesday. Middle of the week. The order of play? Not exactly inspiring at first glance—so, like most other attendees, I wandered toward the practice courts.

Even when I’m covering a tournament for Ground Pass, it’s nice to steal a quiet morning to regroup and reflect. Covering a tournament solo isn’t easy—don’t get it twisted—but I really do love it.

I headed toward Court 5, the smallest show court, because no matches were scheduled there. I figured it’d be a quiet place to sip coffee and reset. But I hadn’t checked the practice schedule.

Naomi Osaka was out there. And a quiet crowd had already gathered. So I joined them.

The Practice Courts

Some people treat the practice courts as a place to grab an up-close photo or maybe sneak an autograph—and fair enough. But they’re more than that. They’re where you can really learn about the game—especially when it’s quiet enough to hear the dialogue between player and coach.

After Naomi, Ben Shelton came out to hit. I’ve watched several of his practices with his dad, Bryan, and they’re always so insightful. If you’re on-site at a tournament, I highly recommend carving out time to watch players work on the little things.

Learner Tien and the Not-So-Upset

The match of the day? Maybe not in terms of seeding—but definitely in terms of shock and energy. Learner Tien beat Andrey Rublev, and while the rankings would call it an “upset,” I’m not so sure.

Tien has quietly put together a breakthrough year. This was his fourth top-10 win, after taking down Medvedev, Zverev, and Shelton. The crowd was pumped—but you could feel the surprise ripple through as Rublev lost. Learner, as always, seemed unphased. In press, he handled it all with calm confidence.

From the Media Room

• Daniil Medvedev was back in press with a classic quote or two. I asked him about the rise of tall players in the sport, and whether he thinks it signals the future of the game. 🎧 Audio below.

• Learner Tien, post-win, gave thoughtful answers about his development and staying grounded through this breakout season. 🎧 Audio below.

Venus, Baptiste, and Court 5 at Sunset

The biggest crowd of the day showed up for the doubles showdown between Venus Williams / Hailey Baptiste and Taylor Townsend / Zhang Shuai. The match was played on Court 5, and even though Team Venus lost, the vibe was immaculate.

Honestly, Court 5 might be my new favorite court on site—tight sightlines, great energy, and especially stunning as the sun starts to go down.

I spent most of my day there. No regrets.

Tiafoe Closes the Day

The evening wrapped with Frances Tiafoe grinding through a tough first-round win. It meant a lot—to him, and to the home crowd. He’s been vocal about wanting to win this title for years, and now he’s officially on his way.

Today’s order of play is stacked—including a can’t-miss matchup between Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu. It’ll be the headline on paper, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the outside courts steal the day again.

See you back for Day 6.

We have to start from the end and work our way back—because what Venus Williams did on Center Court last night was nothing short of inspirational.

There are very few times in sports where you can say you witnessed history. That’s exactly what happened when Venus, at 45 years old, won her first-round match against world No. 35 Peyton Stearns. But let’s not make this all about her age—that’s just one small part of it.

Venus is a champion. And she doesn’t strike me as someone who would come back just for a ceremonial hit-and-giggle farewell tour. That’s what many critics of her wild card miss. Wild cards aren’t merit-based. They’re entertainment-based. They exist to bring people in, to spotlight stories, to celebrate beloved players. Venus absolutely delivered—and so did the crowd. The energy was incredible.

Sure, people always ask, “Couldn’t that wild card have gone to a younger player?” And yes, Clervie Ngounoue did get one. She’s local, exciting, and her presence drew fans too. But the idea that wild cards are strictly about rankings or future potential misses the point. Tennis is also about the moment, and the crowd got one they’ll never forget.

This is why we always advocate for attending smaller tournaments. If Venus had done this at the US Open, good luck affording a ticket. I was there for Serena’s retirement run in 2022—on a grounds pass. I couldn’t get into Ashe, but I didget to see Serena up close during a Fan Week practice (truly the best deal in sports). At a tournament like the Citi Open, though, fans got to see something just as meaningful, and they got to do it in a venue that’s intimate, accessible, and electric.

Around the Grounds

Tuesday was a packed match day, and I actually got to watch a lot of tennis, which is a real treat when covering an event. A theme emerged again: while Center Court stayed relatively empty until the night session, the outside courts were full of life.

This year, the tournament introduced a special ticket: $57 for outer court access only. And honestly? That’s all you need. The matches out there have been excellent, and the access is unbeatable.

From the Media Room

I had the chance to speak with a few players today, including:

• Jaume Munar, who’s flying under the radar a bit but having a great season. While Carlos Alcaraz grabs the Spanish player spotlight, Munar’s match against him at Queen’s was a gem—and he shared his perspective on that today. 🎧 Audio below.

• Taylor Townsend, currently world No. 2 in doubles and a two-time Grand Slam champion… still without a clothing sponsor. She’s taking matters into her own hands and spoke candidly about it. 🎧 Audio below.

• Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu, who both won their first-round matches and will now face each other in Round 2. I asked them what they think of the matchup. Naomi’s audio is below—but its not great so added a screen shot of the transcript; and Emma’s response is also included.

Naomi’s Response:

Emma’s response:

Another standout day at the Citi DC Open—this one with a bit of historical weight.

See you tomorrow for Day 5.