Fans were heard chanting "Key Biscayne!" after Isner defeated Zverev in the men's finalGETTY IMAGES
The ATP/WTA Miami Open will "leave its beloved tropical Key Biscayne home" for Hard Rock Stadium in '19, but last night, fans were treated to a "scintillating men’s final" between John Isner and Alexander Zverev, according to Michelle Kaufman of the MIAMI HERALD. Isner "jumped up and down following his improbable victory, as fans chanted: 'Key Biscayne! Key Biscayne!'" With Isner and Sloane Stephens winning the event, it was the first time since '04 that Americans "swept the men’s and women’s title" in Miami (MIAMI HERALD, 4/2). The AP's Steven Wine noted the Key Biscayne finale "drew a near-capacity crowd, and the atmosphere was electrifying at times" (AP, 4/1). In Miami, Sandra Harwitt noted Saturday's women's final was the "last of 38 Miami Open women’s finals to be played at Crandon Park Tennis Center." Fans in attendance "showed their displeasure about the tournament relocating" by "booing" Tournament Dir James Blake when he mentioned the move during the award ceremony. But Stephens said, “I’m excited for the move and I think it will be a great thing for the tournament. A new facility -- I’m sure it will be beautiful” (MIAMI HERALD, 4/1).
BLOWING THINGS OUT: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Daniel Kaplan reports as part of the Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium hosting next year's Miami Open, the team will also "sell the tickets, market the event, and advise on sponsorship sales." The Dolphins are "forming a 12-person sales staff dedicated to only the tournament and will use their own fan data, with cross-sell emails scheduled to go out in May to season-ticket holders." IMG, which has run the event for years, will see its full-time staff of just under two dozen "relocate to the stadium from their offices in Coral Gables." Of the $60M in "work underway at the stadium in preparation for the tournament," Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross is spending $52M and IMG is providing $8M (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/2 issue). Ross said, “This is a sound business deal and should be great for all of South Florida. I love challenges.” WME-IMG co-President Mark Shapiro added, “We’re going to build a full-on festival. There’s going to be art, music, food vendors, multiple stages for everything. It’s going to be a real taste of Miami” (N.Y. TIMES, 4/1).
