This year I decided to skip my usual trip to Indian Wells (BNP Pariba) and decided to visit Miami Open instead. It was my first trip to the tournament. I must admit that there are several differences among the two master level tournaments. While Indian Wells on one hand is know for its golf and tennis setting by default, Miami is more of beach and party place. Therefore, for your young people who want to join tennis tournament with beach and partying, Miami Open is for sure the way to go.
I caught a direct fly from SFO to Miami International. I landed late afternoon around 5pm and took a short uber drive to Downtown Miami, I stayed at Hilton Downtown Miami, which is one of the official Miami Open hotels. I must say it is great choice, it the most budget friendly from all the “official hotels” and offers direct shuttle to the tournament (from Marriott Key Biscayne across the street). It is not free shuttle, but you can get a weekly pass for about $40.00 for unlimited rides back and forth to the open.
I stayed at the open from Wednesday-Sunday and watched tennis all four days and spent the last day (Sunday) at the beach. I should probably spent some more time relaxing at the South Beach, but whenever I am close to tennis tournament it seems that I cannot break away 🙂
You can buy tickets online for relatively cheap for first couple of days, but if you want to take a grounds pass you need to buy that at the Open. In fact you have to wait until all the tickets are sold out, then they start offering grounds passes.
The tournament is hot and humid so you need to be ready and hydrated or you can get stomach sick easily. I have seen a lot of players struggle at the practices and some even retired due to heat (Nadal, Federer-with stomach flu, Serena Williams also looked very warn out). It seems that Djokovic is still in the best physical condition so he had no trouble with hot and humid conditions.
If you like the Spanish, South-American party style this is a tournament for you. There is a lot of music on the grounds and there is a party around every corner. When you walk around tournament and Miami itself you will feel as you are in Spain or South-America, as almost no English is spoken there.
I am for sure planning to take another trip to Miami Open soon, but this time I will extend it for a few days and stay additional couple days at South Beach, which does not have such a great tournament access but amazing beach access 🙂
Please write to me at ursa@ursulatennis.com for any additional tips you might need before booking Miami 2017 🙂
 
