Anisimova has always loved the Miami Open

Brazilian Heritage Day infuses the Miami Open with color, culture, and rhythm

MIAMI GARDENS — When Amanda Anisimova was a child, her favorite time of year was when the Miami Open came to town.

She would go with her family and spend all day running around Crandon Park on Key Biscayne where the tournament was then held, watching practices and her favorite players such as Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniaki, Roger Federer and Victoria Azarenka.

“I would go to the Crandon Park site a lot as a kid, and I absolutely loved it,’’ Anisimova said at her media session Tuesday in the Paddock room at Hard Rock Stadium. “It was one of my favorite times of the year to go to the Miami Open.

“So, I’d get their autographs. I loved getting them on a hat and then I would wear the hat all year.”

Anisimova, who now lives in Miami Beach, had dreamt of becoming a ball girl but had no long-term dreams of being a professional tennis player.

“I was a fan, and obviously, I played a lot and I competed, but the dream is just so far [from] reality, and I was just a kid as well,’’ she said. “Maybe some kids dream that someday they’ll be there, but I think that it just didn’t seem realistic to me as a child. I was just very much in the present and enjoying myself in what I was doing and just having fun.”

After trying out for ball-girl duty, Anisimova, who was already playing junior tennis, decided to save her energy for her practices and tournaments.

“There was a lot of [ball kid] training that went into it,’’ she said. “And I passed because of that reason. I was already training so much at practice so when I’m off, I don’t really feel like training.”

Now 24 and entrenched in the world Top 10 at No. 6 after reaching two Grand Slam finals last year (Wimbledon and US Open), the ball kids are asking Anisimova for her autograph. And she couldn’t believe there was a giant mural painting across the Grandstand of herself.

“I think I saw it quickly, and I was like, I don’t know if this is AI or something,’’ she said. “Then I saw a fan posted it [standing] in front of it, and then my agent also sent it to me, and it was on site.

“I had no idea, but they chose me, which is like, ‘Wow,’ that’s crazy and I’m very honored. It’s so, so cool. And yeah, I was not expecting that at all. It was a complete surprise. So, yeah, hopefully I’ll be able to go and see it one of these days in person.”

Anisimova might get a look at it when she plays her second-round match against veteran Aussie Ajla Tomljanovic. She’s 0-2 against Tomljanovic but the two haven’t played since 2021.

Anisimova hasn’t fared well in her hometown event. In seven previous appearances her best result came in 2025 when she ended Mirra Andreeva’s 13-match winning streak before losing  in the fourth round.

“I feel really at home every time I play at the Miami Open. It’s very special to me, and I always have a lot of family and friends that come out and support me,’’ she said. “I feel like I started my pro career here, so a lot of special memories and lots of experiences.”

Anisimova actually did start her pro career at the Miami Open after receiving a wild card into the main draw of the 2017 tournament. Alas, she lost to the serve-and-volley doubles star Taylor Townsend, who received her own wild card into the singles draw this week.

“I’m going into this tournament feeling good,’’ said Anisimova, who reached the Australian Open quarterfinals in January and the semis of Dubai, both times losing to No. 5 Jessica Pegula.

“I feel like I’ve had quite a few matches this year already and have been playing good tennis. So, I’m just happy to be here. I feel good. I feel healthy, so I’m just looking forward to getting started, and hopefully, I can keep that momentum going.”

About the Miami Open presented by Itaú

The 2026 Miami Open presented by Itaú will be played March 15 – March 29 at Hard Rock Stadium. The 15-day event is owned and operated by MARI and Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a WTA 1000 event on the WTA calendar, and annually hosts the world’s best players, with recent champions including the top players in each tour’s rankings – Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. In 2025, the tournament attracted more than 400,000 spectators over its 15 days at Hard Rock Stadium. Widely regarded as the most glamorous stop on the ATP and WTA calendars, the Miami Open is defined by the city’s vibrant culture, nightlife, five-star dining and hospitality, iconic beaches, and celebrity appeal, along with its close proximity to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

About Itaú Unibanco

The largest bank in Latin America, Itaú Unibanco operates in 18 countries and serves more than 70 million customers, including individuals and companies across a wide range of segments. With the purpose of strengthening financial well-being, the bank supports customers at different stages of life by offering solutions tailored to their needs, as well as innovation and information that encourage more conscious decision-making and a healthier relationship with money.

In sports, Itaú has maintained a consistent presence in tennis for 50 years, supporting the development of the sport in Brazil and worldwide across multiple fronts — from talent development to the sponsorship of major international events — as part of its strategy to strengthen customer relationships, build brand relevance, and broaden access to sport.

About MARI 

MARI is a global events and experiences company with a portfolio of some of the world’s most influential live properties across sport, art, lifestyle, and entertainment. From international tennis tournaments such as the Mutua Madrid Open and the Miami Open presented by Itaú to Frieze, a leading voice in contemporary art, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, TodayTix Group’s leadership in digital ticketing, and Barrett-Jackson’s leading collector car auctions, MARI’s portfolio reflects a shared ambition: to deliver live experiences that bring people together, inspire audiences and shape culture worldwide.

About Hard Rock Stadium

Hard Rock Stadium is a global entertainment destination and curator of world-class events. The best-in-class venue is home to the Miami Dolphins, University of Miami Hurricanes football team, the Capital One Orange Bowl, Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, Miami Open presented by Itaú, major concerts, the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and FIFA World Cup 2026™. Due to its overall sustainability efforts, the multifunctional venue holds Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification and FIA Three-Star Environmental Accreditation rating. For more information, visit hardrockstadium.com.