Miami, Florida, rolls out the red carpet
View(s):On March 20, Crandon Tennis Centre in Miami, Florida, came alive with its 32nd Tennis Championships, the Miami-Open (MO) 2017. The man who started this event was former US player Butch Buchholts. At one time, the Australian-Open, now held in January, was held in December, and was referred to as the Winter Wimbledon. At that time, Buchholtz wanted the MO to be the first event of the year.
In 1985, the MO offered US$ 1.8 million as prize money, which has now risen to US$ 14 million, and is classified as the Masters 1000 in the ATP calendar. That makes it compulsory for rankings. IMG owns the event. From its outset, the event had fashion, glamour and gala mingled with Tennis. Sports and fashion designer and player of the 1920’s, Englishman Teddy Tingling was appointed into this area in 1985. They fostered it and today, the event is known for these and of course, for Tennis.
The Courts and Upset
Among the professionals, the Miami courts are considered the slowest on tour, which grinds them with long rallies in high humidity. Players do not like it, as it could lead to injuries. Talking about injuries, this year’s event took off without world No.1 Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic and, in the progression of the event, Canada’s Milos Raonic dropped off injured. Among the Women, Serena Williams was missing in the draw. For professional players, injuries are bad for business and, for the events, it is loss of lustre.
The slow courts of the event are bringing out skills to be appreciated better. In a Round 3 match, Tunisian Jazri held out top seed Wawrinka well for a good performance. He was able to return Wawrinka’s 100 mph plus first serve consistently. Jazri is tall and very athletic with very good reaction. Tunisia is not known for Tennis. He is one of the very few Africans in the circuit. However, Germany’s young rising star Alexander Zverev stopped the top seed’s run in 3 Sets in the very next Round. Wawrinka always has a problem playing this type of players who can sustain long rallies. Normally, good players are successful in choking the challengers shot selection to the minimum, with pace and placement, making them ineffective. MO is piling up the best for some very good exhibition of Tennis in the final Rounds.
Rivalry in Miami
Anyone interested in sports will also be interested in Tennis rivalry through the last 5 decades. In recent times, Nadal, Federer and Djokovic among the Men, and Serena Williams, Sharapova and Radwanska among the Women, held out the rivalry for the top 5 slots in the rankings. Often, it is for the top spot. In that sense, right now in Miami, Kerber and Pliskova among the Women, and Nishikori, Nadal and Federer among the Men, have the fans spellbound.
With so many new players emerging, one would expect none of the rivalry to last. However, the record shows it to be otherwise. Big names, once they take the top slot, seem to last a decade or, even more. Federer and Nadal have been around over a decade. Prior to the current incumbents, Pete Sampras and Steffi Graff had the grip on the top slots for a good decade. Right now, it is the case with Serena Williams, Kerber, Pliskova and Halep if a 4th could be named. One of the famed rivalries is between the tall Argentinian Juan Del Potro and Federer. One would recall the long match between the two at the London Olympics semifinals. They met in Round 3 in Miami last week. Del Potro returning after a long injury layoff, is ranked in the 30’s. Federer is in too good a form now and was able to beat him in straight sets.
Miami Carnival
Miami Centre court has carnival atmosphere. Their CCTV brings in images of spectators and music during change over times, making it a gala. TV viewers love this but, for the players, the 90 seconds are a precious time to recover physically and to focus on the next 2 games. Coping with distractions is another adjustment players will have to adapt to in the modern era. Most players are accustomed to this carnival atmosphere but, I am sure, a few will also suffer from this.
Tennis is a mental game. When the game begins after a changeover, players will have to cope with 130 mph services, and cover the court faster than an Olympic sprinter, and execute precision strokes and winners repeatedly, till the end of the match. These are not carnival ground activities.
Curtain-raiser
The seeds are cruising but, not without being made to work. In this class of Tennis and in events such as MO, there is nothing called a cheap point. Every point is won with sweat, grit and a calm and calculating mindset. This is one of the very few events where Women and Men play at the same time. For all practical purposes, the 2017 professional season has began with the MO. It will move to Europe in April.
- George Paldano, Former intl. player; Accredited Coach of Germany; National, Davis-Cup, Federation Cup captain/coach– geodano2015@gmail.com -