By Ryan Ernst
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mark Woodforde (right), 37, shown with doubles partner Todd Woodbridge, is playing in the Senior Championship. (File photo) | ZOOM |

MASON - Wisecracks flew like ground strokes at Wednesday's tournament draw for the Senior Championship of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters. The most popular subject of the tournament, which has steadily grown younger in recent years: age.

"There's no day off?" 37-year-old first-year "senior" Luke Jensen asked when the schedule was announced. "I can't play two days in a row."

Minutes later, Senior Championship veteran Owen Davidson turned and saw Mark Woodforde, who had just arrived.

"You're a senior?" Davidson asked the 37-year-old Woodforde.

"Hey, I thought no one over 60 was allowed to play in this tournament," Woodforde fired back at the 59-year-old Davidson, who is making his ninth appearance in the event. In that time, the event has gone from an all-male field to a mixed doubles setup. With the change in format came a group of young women fresh off the WTA tour.

Now, with the addition of Woodforde and Jensen, the men seem to be catching up.

"(The tournament) is always upgrading and considering bringing in younger players," Davidson said. "They were really able to do that this year and really bring in some people who are going to be huge assets."

Jensen, a player sure to be a fan favorite, said he's looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere of the senior event.

"It's much more social; it's like a class reunion," he said. "It's not as competitive. Now you get to have a good time. You get to hit trick shots and have fun with the crowd."

Wednesday's draw revealed the teams and the schedules for today and Friday. At 7 p.m., Kathy Rinaldi and Mansour Bahrami will take on Ann Grossman and Woodforde. In the second match, JoAnne Russell and Jensen face Brenda Schultz-McCarthy and Davidson. The final match of the evening will feature Hana Mandlikova and Gene Mayer taking on Manuela Maleeva and Tom Gullikson.

Teams will play another preliminary round Friday before Saturday's consolation and championship matches.

Tournament chairman Paul Flory said the combination of old and new talent should make for an exciting and competitive tournament.

"We've never had better matchups than this year," he said. "It'd be tough to pick a winner."

At a glance

What: Western & Southern Financial Masters.

When: Today-Aug. 17 (Seniors tournament Today-Saturday, qualifier Saturday-Sunday, main draw Monday-Aug. 17).

Where: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason.

Tickets: (513) 651-0303.

E-mail rernst@enquirer.com