Best tennis players in world coming to Mason

Every 2010 Grand Slam champion is slated to play in the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters & Women’s Open, meaning the best in men’s and women’s tennis will return to Mason Aug. 7-22.

Player commitments were announced in a midday press conference today at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

The men’s side features defending W&S champion Roger Federer, reigning French Open and Wimbledon winner Rafael Nadal, former W&S champs Andy Murray and Andy Roddick, and two-time W&S finalist Novak Djokovic.

John Isner, who beat Nicolas Mahut in the epic 11-hour, 5-minute match at Wimbledon, joins a field that includes the world’s Top 40 non-injured players.

The women’s is filled with the most top-ranked players in event history. The world’s top 35 non-injured players are set to compete, including 2010 Australian Open and Wimbledon winner Serena Williams and 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone.

Seven-time major champion Venus Williams, defending W&S champion Jelena Jankovic, and Wimbledon runner-up and 2006 W&S winner Vera Zvonareva are among among the players in the hunt for the next title.

Maria Sharapova is making her first appearance in Cincinnati and is considered the top newcomer.