The Miami Open has commenced today with mens qualifying completing and some WTA matches played at the new venue in Miami, at the Miami Dolphins football stadium parking lot.
One reporter who was granted a media credential was not exactly thrilled by his first two days on the scene, describing it as “super restricted. It sucks. It sucks big time now.”
He said there are Argentinians and Canadian media in Miami working and also local Americans, AP, Getty Images, FEF, Rueters. But so far just under 20 reporters, below the 20 reporter limit the tournament permitted.
The reporter I spoke with said he was so disappointed by the 2021 Miami Open set up, conditions and lack of fan energy that he was literally feeling by it all and had to take therapeutic actions to alleviate the mixed emotions. “I felt so sad today that I had to go to Key Biscayne … to feel better.”
In case you are wondering, the Crandon Park venue is still open, wide open and there were people playing tennis there, just not any ATP or WTA pros.
Oh, the memories of covering Miami Open at Key Biscayne. I have to say it was the greatest experience of my tennis life. I covered it for ten straight years. It got better and better every year. Words cannot sufficiently describe what a breathtaking paradise Key Biscayne was for tennis and the unique energy the pro tennis evoked there.
But it’s gone now, and boy are we feeling that enormous void, especially now.
Key Biscayne · Miami Open · Sony Open
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2021 at 8:50 pm
This tournament is now a shell of its once great legendary self.