The Cincinnati Open’s freshly renovated Lindner Family Tennis Center was plunged into chaos Tuesday night when heavy rain forced play to be suspended, disrupting matches involving top players Ben Shelton and Jessica Pegula.
Fans quickly took to social media, blasting the tournament’s infrastructure for its inability to cope with inclement weather despite the massive $260 million renovation led by billionaire philanthropist Ben Navarro, father of American tennis star Emma Navarro.
Fans Frustrated at Emma Navarro’s Father Over the Lack of Weather Protection Despite the Renovation
As America’s oldest tennis tournament reopened this summer after a sweeping makeover, expectations were high. The $260 million overhaul, funded by both Ohio taxpayers and the Navarros’ Beemok Capital, introduced ten new courts, a new sunken stadium seating 2,300+, and an impressive two-story player clubhouse equipped with top-tier amenities.
This major facelift aimed to secure Cincinnati’s status as a premier Masters 1000 event, especially after concerns emerged about possible relocation threats to cities like Charlotte and overseas markets.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Ben and Kelly Navarro alongside defending champion Jannik Sinner and tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf symbolized a fresh start. However, the real test came with the reality of Mother Nature.
Tuesday’s storm hit at a critical time. Matches were underway featuring some of the biggest names in tennis, such as Carlos Alcaraz, Andrey Rublev, Ben Shelton, Alexander Zverev, Jasmine Paolini, Jessica Pegula, and Karolina Muchova, who all took to the courts earlier that day.
But by around 9 p.m., rain showers intensified, and tournament officials announced a suspension of play at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. With the tournament’s schedule thrown into disarray, players and fans were left waiting anxiously for updates, which finally came around 9:40 p.m., confirming that play would resume Wednesday with a revised order.
Due to the rain, there will be no further play this evening. A revised order of play for Wednesday will be released shortly.
— Cincinnati Open (@CincyTennis) August 13, 2025
Play in Cincinnati has been cancelled for the night due to rain
Make sure you catch all the Day 7⃣ action tomorrow starting at 10am on Tennis Channel with TC Live#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/z4MFQxXfQ2
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 13, 2025
Fans on social media expressed disappointment and disbelief that after spending hundreds of millions on renovations, the tournament still lacked a retractable roof to protect play during rain. Tweets poured in, highlighting the glaring omission of any roof coverage on center court, a basic feature at many major tennis venues. One fan sarcastically asked, “Papa Navarro, can you build a roof over center court in like 5 minutes?”
Papa Navarro can you build a roof over center court in like 5 minutes?
— Magda (@doublefauIts) August 12, 2025
Another commented, “You renovated the entire thing but forgot to add roofs? Not even one for center court? What a disaster this tournament has been this year.”
You renovated the entire thing, but forgot to add roofs? Not even one for center court? What a disaster this tournament has been this year
— ATG (@Lucid_Neur0n) August 12, 2025
Several posts highlighted the absurdity of spending $260 million without addressing weather protection, with one fan exclaiming, “$200 million used for what??”
khia tournament. $200 million used for what?? pic.twitter.com/mBSa8ooRql
— dee (@deabo20) August 13, 2025
Others lamented the tournament’s inconsistent conditions, alternating between scorching heat that risks player health and rain delays that disrupt momentum. “No roof, heat, rain, power outages … what a mess this has been. No flow at all,” one frustrated spectator wrote.
Another fan wrote: “It’s either too hot that players are having heat stroke or rainy that they can’t play…mother nature be crazy in Cincinnati ”
MORE: Emma Navarro’s Billionaire Parents Invite Her Doubles Partner Jannik Sinner to Cut Ribbon After $260 Million Cincinnati Open Move
Other comments questioned how $260 million could be spent without addressing this crucial issue, with users lamenting the constant interruptions from either rain or extreme heat, calling the tournament “a disaster.”
this tournament has been a disaster so far https://t.co/50nbcMS8JZ
— chrisss (@rocketsubban) August 13, 2025
“If you’re investing that much into your tournament the bare minimum would be to get a roof installed for one court,” one fan wrote.
Another commented: “Are roofs not a thing in 2025? Especially with how much dumped into renovations??”
