There’s something spectacular about spring tennis and the Miami Open. It’s a professional tennis tournament like no other. Played on the hardcourt surfaces at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the tournament runs from March 19 to March 31, 2024. It’s only one of two ATP tournaments in March and one of five for the WTA. This year marks the 39th edition of the men’s and women’s events being combined and segues into a string of summer Slams, such as Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Check out these lesser-known facts about the mega sporting event that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Miami Open Fun Facts
#1. ATP Competitors
Last year’s winner, Daniil Medvedev defeated Jannik Sinner 7-5, 6-3 in a 94-minute competition to claim the men’s singles title. This year he will have several obstacles including Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Holger Rune, Casper Ruud, Hubert Hurkacz, and the No. 1 seed, Carlos Alcaraz. World No. 1 Novak djokovic, along with Mackenzie McDonald and Aslan Karatsev withdrew for various reasons.
#2. WTA Competitors
Defending champion Petra Kvitová won the women’s singles draw. However, Kvitová is not returning this year due to pregnancy. Instead, Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Ons Jabeur will all be chasing down the points and the prize money. Maria Sakkari, Madison Keys, and Anastasia Potapova are expected to go far based on their recent performance at Indian Wells. All eyes will be on Simona Halep as she returns to the courts from nearly two years off due to an anti-doping violation.
#3. Prize Money and Points
This tournament is a Master’s 1,000 event, meaning the winner will earn 1,000 points towards their world ranking. With that in mind, and a $17.7 million prize pot, it’s no wonder the biggest names in tennis are eager to compete in Miami. The impressive purse is divided $8,995,555 to the men’s tour, and the remaining $8,770,480 for the women.
#4. Food and Beverage
There are 34 food and beverage options on the grounds, including three food trucks. The cuisine varies from burgers and fries to sushi courtside at the posh Nobu Restaurant. The pop-up kitchen is open to ticketed guests from March 20 to March 31, and seating is done on a first come, first serve basis. Speaking from experience there is a minimum food and beverage purchase for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but it’s well worth it!
#5. Tournament History
In a roundabout way, the Miami Open began in the 1960’s when a group of male tennis pros were using a station wagon to tour the country. This was during the pre-Open Era when players like Jack Kramer, Frank Sedgman, Pancho Gonzalez, Pancho Segura and Butch Buchholz were in their heyday. The men became known as the “Handsome Eight” and over time, their portable canvas courts were converted into a bonified reality.
Buchholz had retired from the circuit, but not the game. He was serving as the executive director of the ATP and reached a five-year sponsorship agreement with the Lipton Company. On Feb. 4, 1985, the tournament was renamed the International Players Championships. It began a new tradition and attracted 84 of the top 100 men and 97 of the top 100 women to Miami.
More Miami Open Details
#6. Attendance
Every year since its inception, the Miami Open has been breaking attendance records. Last year there were 390,000 fans watching, walking, and enjoying the sights and sounds of Miami. Some attractions outside the stadium include stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and shopping for their favorite pro players’ gear at TennisExpress.com.
#7. The Stadium at Miami Open
When it comes to a multi-purpose stadium, the Hard Rock Stadium is massive. Home to the NFL Miami Dolphins, the grounds double as a venue for area college football games, past Super Bowls, FIFA soccer tournaments, and too many concerts to name. With 27 tennis courts, 10 competition courts (including the Stadium Court and the Grandstand), and 17 practice courts, it’s no wonder the Miami Open is referred to as one of the largest tennis events in the world, surpassed only by the Grand Slams.
#8. Critters on the Court
Unlike the BNP at Indian Wells, it’s doubtful there will be a swarm of bees at this year’s Miami Open. However, there have been some notable critters on the court. For example, a four-foot iguana interrupted Tommy Haas and Jiri Vesely’s match in 2017. ATP Officials giggled, as they tried to wrangle the large lizard. The delay was less than 10 minutes, but the suspension was hilarious. See the Miami Open Iguana Footage for yourself. Other critters on the court include pesky birds, tropical insects, and more recently a black and white cat.
#9. Records and Stats
The first tournament winners were Tim Mayotte for the men’s singles title and Martina Navratilova for the women’s singles title. Andre Agassi holds the most singles titles for the men’s, winning championships in 1990, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2002, and 2003. Likewise, former American pro Serena Williams won titles in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Ivan Lendl and Steffi Graf were seeded No. 1 more than any other player and the youngest male player to win the main draw was Carlos Alcaraz in 2022. He was 18 years and 322 days old. The youngest female was Monica Seles. She was 16 years and 111 days old. Roger Federer holds the record for the oldest male player to win the main draw. He was 37 years and 235 days old in 2019.
#10. Other Activities at the Miami Open
Besides tennis, there’s plenty to do at the Miami Open, including a gondola ride. The Piper-Heidsieck Sky View offers fans an elevated perspective of the grounds. There’s also a kids day, pickleball courts, and a two-night concert series featuring local groups HyRyZe and Go Go Gadjet.
If you can’t make it to the Miami Open, don’t worry, you can shop TennisExpress.com 24/7 where you’ll find your favorite pro players’ gear, tennis shoes, apparel, and more!
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