MASON, Ohio — Tennis players are used to hopping among some of the world’s most exciting cities, but here during the Western & Southern Open, they find a different sort of sizzle.

The tournament, also known as the Cincinnati Masters, is 23 miles northeast of downtown Cincinnati and is the lone suburban stop for most of the world’s best players, forcing them to adapt to staples of American life. Among those staples is a restaurant that has served as an anchor of player life since it opened in 1997: Applebee’s.

Tucked next to a Marriott that serves as an official hotel of the tournament, Applebee’s has been packed by players for years, not only for its reliable food, but also for its convenience and long hours. The restaurant, part of a chain specializing in American cuisine, is open until 1 a.m., making it the lone option for those playing long matches during night sessions.

After winning a late-night semifinal in 2011, Jelena Jankovic found herself at Applebee’s, and she was followed moments later by Andrea Petkovic, who had been her opponent.