Practical but Not Pretty. That’s Pro Tennis at Miami’s N.F.L. Stadium.

Not everyone. Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 1 and defending champion, is a major fan of the new location.

“A tennis court is always the same size,” Alcaraz said after beating Tommy Paul in straight sets on Tuesday. “I feel great here.”

The expanded grounds and easier access to residents north and west of Miami allowed attendance to grow to a record 388,734 in 2019, 62,603 more than the Key Biscayne record. The tournament is likely to break that record this year. Joshua Ripple, I.M.G.’s senior vice president for tennis events, said the tournament is financially far more successful at the new site and can give players a workplace filled with amenities.

“It used to be more about where you were going, how cool is the town, and where can me and my friends go out to eat,” he said. Now, he said, it’s about lots of practice courts, plenty of balls, good food on site, a big gym and decent transportation.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/31/sports/tennis/miami-open-dolphins-stadium.html