The Cincinnati Open takes many hours of planning and work to be successful. Thanks to the 1,500+ volunteers who join the team each year, it continues to grow as one of the world’s premier tennis events. Your volunteered time is not only helping make the Cincinnati Open a success, but it assists the tournament in continued efforts to give back to local charities, such as Cincinnati Children’s, Cincinnati Tennis Foundation.

The tournament welcomes volunteers from our local community and beyond. With a variety of committees and positions available, there is an opportunity for everyone. Volunteer at the Cincinnati Open and be an integral part of the heart of tennis. Information about the ball crew can be found here.

View a complete list of volunteer committees.

Thank you Fifth Third for supporting our team of volunteers.

Volunteer Requirements

Volunteers Receive

  • Volunteer photo credential
  • FILA uniform package; a hat and 2 tournament shirts
  • Free parking in a designated area
  • Exclusive souvenir pin
  • Access to the Volunteer Lounge which includes light snacks and refreshments

FAQs

You will receive an email confirmation stating that your application has been received and is being processed.

While not all volunteer committees need new volunteers each year, there are many committees that are listed as having excellent availability for additional volunteers. Selecting one of these committees and/or having good availability increases your chances of being selected. View the complete list of volunteer committees above.

Once you have been accepted as a volunteer, you will receive an email from the Chairperson of the committee you have been assigned. Please be patient our Chairpersons are also volunteers. If you have not heard from the tournament or a Chairperson within 3 weeks of submitting your application, please contact volunteers@cincytennis.com or call 513-651-0303 and ask for the Volunteer Office.

Your Chairperson will send you your schedule based on your availability submitted in your application. It is important that once the schedule is created that you do your best to keep your commitments, as your time and help are valuable. We understand that emergencies occur and ask that you communicate any issues to your Chairperson in a timely manner.

The length of each shift depends on the committee to which you have been assigned. Most committees’ shifts last from 5-7 hours. If there are delays due to weather, some volunteer shifts may be extended. We expect our volunteers to stay until the end of play or when their committee’s responsibilities are completed rather than a set time in the case of delays.

Absolutely! In 2023, we had volunteers from 30 states and 4 countries. Volunteers must speak fluent English.

All volunteers must arrange their own accommodation and travel. The tournament does not reimburse expenses. Discounted hotel rates are available for all tournament attendees here.

Of course! There is no age limit to volunteer at the Cincinnati Open. We ask our volunteers to pay careful attention to the requirements for the position they’re interested in, as some tasks will require lifting, standing for long periods of time, being in the sun, having specific experience on computers. We rely on our volunteers to select the volunteer position that will be a good fit for them.

Younger applicants can apply for our world-class ball crew. You must be 12 years old to be a member of the ball crew. Find more information about the ball crew here.

All Cincinnati Open volunteers receive 2 official tournament polo shirts and a hat. The balance of the uniform is the responsibility of the volunteer and can vary by committee. Sorry, no denim.

If noted on an application, every effort is made to coordinate your schedule with family and friends, but we can guarantee that you will have the same shifts. All parties should select similar availability on their application and make a note in the comment section of who they would like to be placed with. It should also be noted that while you may receive the same schedule as another individual, the chances are likely that you will be working at different posts. Volunteers are placed where coverage is needed so that we can take care of guests.

Volunteers are welcome to watch tennis before and after their shifts on days they are scheduled to work. Volunteers have access to all the outer courts and can enter Center Court at the upper 300 level and watch tennis when seats are available. The volunteer must relinquish the seat immediately if a ticket holder for the seat arrives. Volunteers do not have access to Center Court on finals weekend. Volunteers cannot watch matches on Center Court from the gate area as it obstructs the job of the usher as well as guests from entering and exiting.

Some volunteer committees’ responsibilities result in them interacting with players. However, it is important that while in uniform and on-duty, volunteers respect the privacy of the players and do not ask for autographs or photos. Volunteers that do not observe this code may be subject to dismissal.

Yes, we have many volunteer shifts that take place in the evenings and on the two weekends of the tournament. However, these are the most frequently requested shifts. Those who have more availability in their schedule and are willing to work weekday shifts will more easily get placed on a committee.

Absolutely! You will make new friends, end up with some stories to tell, and have the experience of a lifetime. Apply today!

Still have questions? Contact Shanda Harris, Director of Volunteers, at sharris@cincytennis.com for any additional help.