The ATP/WTA Miami Open is a natural draw for Latin tennis players like Argentinian Federico Delbonisgetty images
The ATP/WTA Miami Open typically draws a strong field of the world's top tennis players, and because there is "no tournament of its caliber in Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central and South America," it has also "developed into the de facto Latin American Slam, drawing fans from the region and its diasporas, transforming ... into a virtual homecoming for Latino players," according to Ben Rothenberg of the N.Y. TIMES. Latin American reporters travel to the Miami Open in "droves, with 24 representatives of Argentine news media leading this year’s international contingent." Though Latin American fans "initially embraced the tournament organically, the event has begun marketing to them directly, including digital advertising in South America in both Spanish and Portuguese, as well as on Spanish-language websites in South Florida." Players from the U.S. have to "adjust to this rare home tournament where the crowds may not tip in their favor." But some players are "not always comfortable" with the crowd's atmosphere. Miami Open Tournament Dir James Blake said, "There are some players who don’t love it, and they’ve voiced that to me, plenty." Caroline Wozniacki said the crowds while playing can resemble a "soccer-like atmosphere" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/27).
WELCOME TO MIAMI: Dolphins Vice Chair, President & CEO Tom Garfinkel said that concession sales and tickets at Hard Rock Stadium are up 25% from last year when the event was played at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 3/27). In Miami, Linda Robertson wrote tennis fans should "beware" of the expenses of attending the Miami Open at its new home. Fans should "avoid paying the unconscionable, rip-off parking fee of $40" in the "vast lot designed to accommodate 65,000 football fans." The Miami Open’s "beautiful new home is better than skeptics expected," but it is "still a converted parking lot." Fans will "enjoy the tennis much more" if they "plan ahead and don’t pay $40 to park in it." The improvements to the tournament "come with a price," as tickets cost up to 40% "more than they did last year." Robertson: "You may not need to win the Miami Open singles championship check of $1.3 million to afford the expense of attending the tournament. ... But winning the lottery would help" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/24).
VIP TREATMENT: In West Palm Beach, Joe Schad notes with the Miami Open being a "resounding success" thus far at Hard Rock Stadium, the Dolphins are "planning to use some of the tennis courts during the football season." One possibility is to "use the space for VIP pregame tailgate opportunities" (PALM BEACH POST, 3/27).
