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From the tropical island to the Parking lot

The contrast could not be greater. So far, the way to the Miami Open led over the bridges of the Rickenbacker Causeway, past crystal-clear water, long beaches a

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From the tropical island to the Parking lot

The contrast could not be greater. So far, the way to the Miami Open led over the bridges of the Rickenbacker Causeway, past crystal-clear water, long beaches and the Miami Skyline in the back on the tropical island of Key Biscayne. Now the path leads about 30 miles further North, on the multi-lane Interstate 95 to charm lots of Miami Gardens, to the hard rock stage.

For the most spectacular move of the tennis tournament since the shift of the US Open from Forest Hills to Flushing Meadows two men are principally responsible. The first was able to prevent for years that the tennis facility will be modernised in Crandon Park on Key Biscayne and expanded. His name is Bruce Matheson and matted tournament owner IMG, in a legal tit for tat, could not win the Agency.

The second wanted to prevent that the once as the "fifth Grand Slam" apostrophierte showpiece of the ATP-disappears on a Tour across the Miami Region, for example, to Orlando, or even worse, Asia. His name is Stephen M. Ross, has become a real-estate trade to the billionaire, and since 2008 owner of the Miami Dolphins, a Football team.

Ross had renovated the hard rock stage, in which the NFL Club plays, for the trifle of $ 550 million. Then he developed the Vision to bring the Masters Event on the system. The partnership with tournament owner IMG came to be because he is not a small spirit and flight a further $ 72 million invested to expand the Football to the tennis facility.

Warhol, and Picasso greetings

The result is not convincing, to say, excited. In the 64767-seat stadium with a Centre Court grandstands created with 14000 seats, the works at the same time intimate and generous infrastructure benefits, which is aligned on a four times larger audience. "We offer a luxury, as it was in the Tennis for never", said tournament Director James Blake, a former Top-10 player.

Specifically, the owner of 4738 Premium Seats can be pampered. For example, in the apartments of the Dolphins-Clubs or, in some cases, additions of Parking spaces, through tents with the works of Pablo Picasso or Andy Warhol.

This is no coincidence, since Ross is a man of Details. "The level of detail, and of which we can be measured," he says. He thought logically brings us to the players. The eight top seeds – including Roger Federer – have your own Lounge in which you treat your Entourage. In comparison to the plant on Key Biscayne, the infrastructure for the players in area is tripled. The number of training places has doubled from 9 to 18. A second main course ("Grandstand") with 5200 seats and a further nine competition courts complete the complex.

What is missing, however, was already on the first day of the main tournament: a roof. On a rainy Tuesday could be played nor coached. The displeasure of the audience kept within limits, the system is a good product. Without Tennis, there are many reasons to visit.

the foot of the people in the audience benefited from the love, the organizer, for Detail. Those who feared, on the earlier Parking a frosty atmosphere to be found, will be quickly disabused. 50 trees, 25 Fig, 25 Bonsai and 20 olive trees with hundreds of other plants and artificial turf, a cozy atmosphere, the number of catering facilities has been doubled compared to Key Biscayne. Art exhibitions, live music and fashion sports wear look person. The tournament can also be found on the with 324 square meters, the largest video screen of the Circuits followed.

"The new US Open"

rise seems to be The recipe. Also, thanks to the Central location of the ticket delivery advance tickets for about 20 percent better than on Key Biscayne, although the prices were raised an average of 40 percent. The mark of 30000 spectators from last year should be clearly exceeded.

Even if no one admits it: the goal of The Miami Open can be just the residue on the Masters tournament in Indian Wells to compensate for that it has suffered, since Software billionaire Larry Ellison in California ten years ago, entry-level. Ross, Dolphins President Tom Garfinkel, and Mark Shapiro of IMG-Partner Endeavor is not to create but with Ellison. Shapiro even said: "Forget that, we want to be the fifth Grand Slam tournament. We are the new US Open." Always nice according to the Motto: attack is the best defense.

(Tages-Anzeiger)

Created: 20.03.2019, 22:18 PM

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