The Tamesis
Sofia Espinoza Cerassi, Olivia ElliottPhotography: Ryan Sides
When I was a kid, I remember Itau’s tournament now known as the Miami Open being played on an old television set in my grandparents’ home in Florida. My siblings and I would visit them every spring break, and I distinctly remember running in from the beach, sand still on my feet, and parking myself in front of my grandfather’s chair to watch the annual tennis tournament and stars like Venus Williams, Andre Agassi, and Martina Hingis (I also remember getting annoyed when he would switch between the tennis and golf channels).
At the time, the more eccentric-feeling event was called the Lipton Championship—later it became widely known as the Sony Ericsson Open. It all takes place on tree-lined Key Biscayne, a wealthy but sleepy island about seven miles southeast of downtown.
Today, the Miami Open is completely different. The massive structure unfolds under the arena floodlights of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, layered with countless dining and bar options and infused with the energy the Magic City is known for. Outside of the Grand Slams, the next major threshold in tennis is the “1000-level” competition. The United States hosts three of the tournaments: Miami, the BNP Paribas Open (near Palm Springs, California), and Cincinnati.
You can guess where the biggest parties are.
“In general, there are many, many options in Miami,” tournament director (and former pro) James Black told us Fashion. “The top players will always be here, so die-hard tennis fans love it. But we’re also really thinking about the casual fans and how we can provide them with a better experience with more and more options. We’re really trying to fit into the cultural fabric of Miami with tons of music, fun and food — even art.”
Inside the Hard Rock Hotel, popular restaurants such as Miami Slice (pizza), Omakai (sushi) and Suviche (Peruvian restaurant) often have long lines. Murals created by local artists dot the area. There’s even a pop-up at the entrance. And that’s just the beginning: MARI, a live events and experiences company, is the new owner of the tournament and wants to further increase its appeal in the future.
The hustle and bustle isn’t over yet at Hard Rock. The Miami Open also hosts many large pop-up events, parties and charity events throughout the region, especially in the early stages of the tournament when more players (and their sponsors) are in town.
Ahead of this weekend’s finals, we’re spotlighting some of the standout social moments both inside and outside the event – performance showcases, city-wide spectacles and now mainstays of the cultural calendar. Vamos!
