Cincinnati Open reveals 2026 Qualifying Fields

 The Cincinnati Open has announced the entry list for the qualifying event, set to take place Aug. 11-12 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Following Community Weekend on Aug. 8-9, the two-round qualifying draws will feature 48 women and 48 men, with 12 each advancing to the main draw starting on Aug. 13. The qualifying entry lists are highlighted by multiple Grand Slam champions, rising young teenagers and a slew of college stars.  

“Fans who come out for qualifying get a preview of everything that makes this tournament special,” said Bob Moran, Cincinnati Open Tournament Director. “For every player chasing a spot in the main draw, there’s a former champion or a rising name reminding you just how deep this field runs. That’s what makes these two days some of the most compelling tennis of the entire event.” 

At No. 51, Stefanos Tsitsipas is the highest-ranked player in the qualifying tournament, having been ranked No. 3 in the world. A 2022 Cincinnati Open finalist and two-time semifinalist, the 27-year-old won his 13th ATP title last week in Gstaad. Tsitsipas is joined by 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic who raised the Cincinnati Open trophy in 2016.  

More notable names in the men’s qualifying draw include 2022 Australian Open doubles winner Thanasi Kokkinakis, four-time ATP titlist Lorenzo Sonego, 2024 Montreal champion Alexei Popyrin and Rinky Hijikata, who reached the Indian Wells fourth round this year as a qualifier.  

Ten former college stars are entered in the men’s qualifying including Americans Marcos Giron (UCLA), Eliot Spizzirri (Texas), Patrick Kypson (Texas A&M) and Michael Zheng (Columbia). Canada’s Gabriel Diallo played for the University of Kentucky.  

The women’s qualifying event is led by 18-year-old Austrian Lilli Tagger, the youngest player inside of the Top 100. Other notable entrants include former world No. 5 and 2024 Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng as well as Ajla Tomljanovic, who reached the 2022 Cincinnati quarterfinals as a qualifier.  

Taylor Townsend, 2023 Cincinnati Open doubles champion, is joined by five Americans including 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin and Texas A&M standout Mary Stoiana.  

The qualifying tournament features players from 31 different countries, led by 12 Americans, the most of any nation. Additional players will be awarded wild cards to round out the qualifying fields.  

The main draw begins Aug. 13 and runs through Finals Weekend, Aug. 22-23, featuring 10 past Cincinnati Open champions, 15 Grand Slam champions and eight players who have held the world No. 1 ranking. 

The 2026 Cincinnati Open begins with Community Weekend on Aug. 8-9 with Kids Day activities, the U.S. debut of the Red Bull BassLine exhibition, a 5K fun run and open-seating player practices.  

The Cincinnati Open, which drew 285,000 fans and was named 1000-level Tournament of the Year by both the WTA and ATP in 2025, is proudly supported by its cornerstone partners: Western & Southern Financial Group, Credit One Bank, Procter & Gamble, Great American Insurance Group, Fifth Third and Kroger.