Video: Everything you need to know about the 2024 Cincinnati Open
The Cincinnati Open tennis tournament will take place again in Mason from August 11 to 19. Here you can find out everything you need to know.
For us mere mortals, flying can be a huge nightmare.
It seems to be no different for top athletes: tennis star Naomi Osaka almost missed the Cincinnati Open due to a classic mistake by a commercial airline.
In a post on X shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Friday, the four-time Grand Slam champion tagged United Airlines to inform her that her luggage had been lost, presumably while she was on a flight to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, known locally as CVG.
“Lol @united “I lost my luggage and if I don’t get it tonight or tomorrow I literally can’t play against Cincinnati,” she said in the post – and yes, she misspelled Cincinnati.
Fortunately for Osaka, United Airlines quickly became aware of this and replied to her post: “Hi, Naomi. We’re sorry about that. We’d like to take a look at it and help you.”
United Airlines then posted another reply shortly after 10pm to let Osaka know that her luggage, which presumably contained her tennis equipment, had arrived in Cincinnati. The airline also asked Osaka to send them a direct message so they could make arrangements to return her luggage.
CVG also noticed Osaka’s contribution and said in response that United Airlines expects to reunite Osaka with her baggage as early as Friday evening.
Osaka, 26, just competed in the Canadian Open, where she lost to Elise Mertens in the round of 32 on Thursday. She also only returned from maternity leave earlier this year, having announced her pregnancy just days before the Australian Open in January 2023.
Osaka’s last appearance at the Cincinnati Open was in 2022, where she lost in the first round to China’s Zhang Shuai in straight sets.
The Cincinnati Open, formerly the Western & Southern Open, will be held August 11-19 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason. The first qualifying round begins at 11 a.m. on Sunday and gates open at 9:30 a.m.
