Miami Tennis Open Finalizes 2019 • Move Off Key Biscayne To Hard Rock Stadium

Photo by MiamiOpen.com

 

 

By Ricky Dimon

 

Management company IMG and the Miami Open announced on Wednesday that the Masters 1000 event will relocate to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. beginning in 2019. The tournament has been played at Crandon Park Tennis Center on the Island of Key Biscayne since 1987.

 

IMG filed paperwork with the Miami Mayor Carlos Gimenez in November to begin the moving process, but that process hit a brief snag when Miami-Dade county commissioners did not approve any agreement. An agreement, however, was reached this week with a unanimous vote, paving the way for the event to relocate from Key Biscayne to the site that is currently home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.

 

“We are extremely excited that the Miami Open, a global entertainment event, will remain in our community,” Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross said. “We are committed to bringing a best-in-class experience alongside IMG to all of the players, fans, and partners that will take part in this global affair. The opportunity to showcase the best tennis in the world in Hard Rock Stadium–a venue that brings together the best of culture, art and entertainment–will be an amazing experience for everyone involved.”

 

“The Miami Open belongs in Miami,” IMG co-president Mark Shapiro commented. “We’re grateful to have amazing partners in Stephen, the Miami Dolphins organization, Mayor Gimenez, and above all the people of Miami who have been supporting the Miami Open for decades. While we’re looking forward to creating the new Miami Open experience at Hard Rock Stadium, our priority is to make the last edition of the Key Biscayne event the best it’s ever been.”

 

“The Miami Open has been a part of Miami’s culture for as long as I can remember and it’s a tournament that is very special to me and my family,” added Serena Williams. “I’ve enjoyed some of my best career moments in Miami thanks to the amazing tournament team and the supportive Miami fans. I am thrilled the Miami Open is staying in Miami, where it belongs.”

 

The new Miami Open will have a total of 30 courts for both matches and practices. A tennis plaza will boast the largest video screen of any tennis event in the world, a sponsorship village with expanded and upgraded entertainment spaces, and permanent retail facilities. The new venue also promises to offer improved Wi-Fi, locker rooms, media facilities, and fitness space for players and tennis staff, while sponsors will enjoy state-of-the-art hospitality options, improved activation areas, additional opportunities for brand exposure, and access to new markets near Miami-Dade County.

 

A new Center Court that can seat 14,000 fans will be constructed inside Hard Rock Stadium, itself. A Grandstand, two show courts, smaller match courts, and practice courts will be placed just outside the football stadium.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.