W&S Open Expand Legacy with Rookwood
Rookwood introduces limited edition ornament for 2018 tournament season.
Rookwood Pottery has a long-standing history with the tournament, which is the nation’s oldest professional tennis tournament played in its city of origin. It was first played in 1899 on the site of the current day Xavier University and has since been a fixture in the Queen City for more than a century. Rookwood Pottery itself has spanned three centuries, with origins dating back to 1880.
The partnership between the two Cincinnati legends, began the very first year the tournament took place. Rookwood crafted gifts for the tournament champions. The gentlemen’s singles victors won a Rookwood ale set and the Women’s Doubles first prize was a Rookwood amphora vessel. Since then, the list of champions and tennis greats and international recognition has grown for both institutions. More than 100 international Tennis Hall of Famers have played in Cincinnati and Rookwood has been back at the helm of creating The Rookwood Cup since 2010.
Rookwood is expanding this legacy with a new limited edition Western & Southern Open Ornament, which celebrates one of the most prestigious tennis traditions in the country. Carved by artist Gary Simon, this ornament captures the spirit of the tournament with intricately carved details and the iconic Western & Southern Open emblem.
“Rookwood Pottery is a proud sponsor of the Western & Southern Open, and we are thrilled to create the official ceramic commemoratives for an event so iconic to Cincinnati. The Rookwood Cup captures the legacy of the tournament, and the ornament allows every supporter to take home their own piece from the event. Community is a core value for us at Rookwood, and we are honored to participate in this Cincinnati tradition through the creation of these artistic pieces.”
– Art Director, Mary Guanciale