Is The Tennis Landscape in Miami Changing for the Better?
If you build it will they come? The Dolphins and the IMG (the owners of the Miami Open) believe they will. With the 60 million dollar transformation of the Master Series 1000 event held in Key Biscayne since 1987.
The Miami Open has long been a pioneer in tennis offering the “Winter Wimbledon” concept in the mid 1980’s and was the first tournament to unveil “hawkeye” technology on Stadium Court allowing players two replay challenges of line calls during each set. Since then the brand itself, while thriving, struggled from a real estate stand point to keep up with Madrid, Shanghai, Rome, Cincinnati and Indian Wells stadium upgrades and expansions.
The Magic City is known for it's aggressive real estate development. as condo development is a major currency in Miami. The new tennis facility at Hard Rock Stadium fits this ethos as questions are starting to be debated about the growth of the tennis economy and the innovation of a tennis tournament in a football stadium’s parking lot.
Here are 13 Questions curated by Backhand City. Polling included tennis fans, industry insiders and on social media. Here were the most popular concerns among Miami tennis fans:
What do you think will be done with the courts during the 50 weeks when there is no Miami Open going on?
What will the center court experience be like inside the stadium?
Will the luxury suites seem too far away to see a tennis match?
Could it become and high end private club for tennis players?
What will tailgaters make of the tennis facility in their parking lot?
How much would you pay to play tennis at Hard Rock Tennis Club?
How much will tickets be at the new facility?
How much will parking be?
How long will the commute be from downtown Miami?
Also, what will happen to Crandon Park Tennis Center?
Will the tired facility get a facelift by the county?
What will they do with the Stadium at Crandon Park Tennis Center?
How happy are residents of Key Biscayne now that the tournament is on the move?
Get ready South Florida the Miami Open is coming to a parking lot near you in March 20-31, 2019 just 2 months from now.
After thirty-two years, the tournament affectionately known to long time residents as the Lipton is having it’s last hurrah in Key Biscayne this March.
Brian Lutz is a Tennis Professional and Blogger in Miami, FL
Backhand-City
Hint: Need tickets to the 2019 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium? Check out the Miami Open Tennis Ticket Guide to help your buying decisions.
Hint: Need tickets to the 2019 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium? Check out the Miami Open Tennis Ticket Guide to help your buying decisions.
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