The Cincinnati Open’s $260 million facelift was meant to be a shining example of tennis luxury — a sprawling campus, world-class facilities, and a promise of an “unparalleled experience” for players. Yet just days into the event, something far less glamorous has become the talk of the tournament: parking.
It all started when German WTA player Eva Lys posted a playful social media clip showing a black vehicle wedged awkwardly between cars. “Car #35, get your s— together,” she teased, adding to a growing online trend of joking about players’ parking skills. The post went viral, drawing laughs from fans but also triggering a surprising reaction from ATP star Taylor Fritz.
Fritz defends players over ‘tiny’ parking spaces
Fritz wasn’t the target of the joke, but he stepped in to highlight the real issue. “To be fair we all have MASSIVE Escalades and the hotel parking spots are insanely small… I spent 10 min last night trying to get into a spot,” he wrote on X, turning the lighthearted roast into a conversation about tournament logistics.
Luxury upgrades but basic needs overlooked
The renovated Lindner Family Tennis Center now stretches across 40 acres and boasts a 56,000-square-foot “Clubhouse” for players, alongside significant enhancements to the Performance Center. Despite these upgrades, cramped parking has emerged as a glaring flaw in the player experience.
Organizers face growing scrutiny
Bob Maron, CEO of Beemok Sports & Entertainment, has framed the revamp as the start of “a new era” for the Cincinnati Open. But for players like Fritz, even the most luxurious surroundings lose their shine when everyday needs — like fitting an SUV into a space — go unresolved.
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