History is set to be made this summer at the Western & Southern Open. Longtime executive Katie Haas has been named CEO of the US Open Series event, a move which makes her the only female chief executive amongst the five combined ATP and WTA 1000-level events that are held simultaneously at the same venue.
Haas' promotion was announced by the tournament on Thursday.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Western & Southern Open as it continues its growth within the tennis world and our community,” Haas said.
“It is a privilege to host not only the world’s best tennis players but also the sport’s greatest fans each year. We are fortunate to have a supportive group of partners and I am eager to continue working with them on innovations as we create an incredible atmosphere on and off the court."
Katie Haas stands with Daniil Medvedev and the winners' trophy at the 2019 Western & Southern Open. Photo credit: Justine Sheldon
Haas previously served as the tournament's COO, a position she accepted in 2018 after 15 years in baseball with the Boston Red Sox organization.
As CEO, she will oversee all aspects of the event in her new role, including all business operations, broadcast operations, player relations and the overall fan experience.
Her tenure as COO included securing a renewal from Cincinnati’s Western & Southern Financial Group, the event’s title sponsor since 2002, to extend the longest running naming rights agreement of a North American tennis tournament to 2024. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Haas helped to lead the tournament's successful return to Cincinnati in 2021 after the 2020 edition was held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens prior to the US Open.
Among the new enhancements scheduled to launch in 2022, the Western & Southern Open will feature digital back wall signage, which will upgrade the broadcast and sponsor opportunities for the tournament.
Since becoming a single-week tournament featuring both tours in 2011, the Western & Southern Open has attracted more than 1.8 million spectators. The tournament is broadcast to more than 50 million viewers in over 160 countries.
Held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, the 2022 tournament will take place Aug. 13-21.
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