Osaka, Djokovic, Williams and Federer were all impressed with Hard Rock Stadium as a tennis venueGETTY IMAGES
Miami Open Founder Butch Buchholz said that he is "optimistic" the tournament's new home at Hard Rock Stadium "will elevate" the event's status, according to Michelle Kaufman of the MIAMI HERALD. Buchholz said, "If anyone had any skepticism, forget it because this is dramatically upgraded from Key Biscayne." Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka all said that they are "impressed with the transformation of the football stadium and excited about their new, more spacious digs." Federer: "I don’t look back and think Key Biscayne was bad. It was a wonderful event." But he added, "Here, it’s very different. We’re talking about a massive stadium with so many opportunities, so many rooms probably not even being used, so you can do whatever you want and that’s nice for the players and guests and VIPs" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/21). In West Palm Beach, Harvey Fialkov notes Sloane Stephens "expressed cautious optimism" about playing inside Hard Rock Stadium. Stephens: "I’ve been going (to Key Biscayne) since I was 14 years old. Sad times; we’re going to miss it, but they worked so hard on this venue and it looks great so far" (PALM BEACH POST, 3/21).
BELLS & WHISTLES: ESPN.com's Jerry Bembry noted the officials behind the Miami Open's move are "convinced the fans will love it." Miami Open Commercial Dir Jeremy Walls said, "A big part of the success of this is that this is a beautifully well thought out campus." He added, "Imagine this as an adult Disneyland." Bembry noted this year's Miami Open "will be glitzier: from the Art Open tent" that will house between $15-20M worth of works "featuring artists ranging from Warhol to Picasso; to the international dining options featuring local restaurants; to the live bands and disc jockeys that will entertain the crowd" (ESPN.com, 3/20).
READY FOR ACTION: ESPN VP/Production Jamie Reynolds has worked the Miami Open for years now and said of the potential challenges of center court being in the middle of a football venue: "It's a little bit like Russian nesting dolls. You take one stadium and put it inside a bigger stadium. Visually, it's a stunning experience. It's going to read well on TV. They've done a great deal to make the court feel more intimate." He also said of whether the venue move can improve the event's media profile: "It all comes down to two factors: what players make a statement and how to fans react. ... Our game-day desk will be on site, so we'll be hosting from outside the stadium with the big screen behind us and the crowds out in a garden area" (Austin Karp, THE DAILY).
