NEWS WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI 2015: Questions With John Barrett

1, Cincinnati Refined: W&S just re-upped its sponsorship to 2017. Why the decision to stay committed to the tournament?

 

Barrett: This is all about Cincinnati. We live in a  much better place — pound for pound — than anybody else. We play in a league way better than anyone else. Always have and hopefully always will. So this time, it’s Western & Southern making it happen, but if you look back 100 years there were other companies to step up and do the same. We’re lucky to have a tournament like this, people really enjoy it, and I think it’s just cool. 

 

2. CR: How would you describe the current Cincinnati landscape?

 

Barrett: We’re on a great uptick right now. It’s taken a long time to get going, but now it’s in high gear. When we built the Great American Tower at Queen City Square, people’s impression of the city turned around. And while there’s too much to do for one company to do it all, when we get other people involved, then it works. Thankfully the Cincinnati Business Community (CBC) has been involved for a long time. (And side note: This tournament, the W&S Open, has often been run by CBC companies.) It’s all been good. 

 

3. CR: Who would you pick as your doubles (or mixed doubles) partner? 

a) Martina Navratilova 

b) Pete Sampras - to win

c) Chris Evert 

d) John McEnroe - for entertainment 

 

4. CR: Finish this sentence… A night at the W&S Open is not complete without ______.

 

Barrett: Stopping by the outdoor bar and sampling one of the various chefs. I try a new one every night. 

 

5. CR: Pick your libation

a) Tom Collins

b) Old Fashioned

c) Michelob Ultra

d) Korbel

e) Arnold Palmer

 

6. CR: What actor would play you in a movie?

a) George Clooney

b) Neil Patrick Harris

c) Hugh Jackman

d) Bruce Willis