By Christopher Menendez
Miami- This morning the Miami Open hosted it’s annual media day where media outlets meet with top players. Questions ranged from social media quirks to the generic “how’s your injury healing?”
Serena Williams, after releasing a public statement about why tennis needs the Miami Open in the New York Times, shared that she is having a lot of fun at this point in her career and that her attitude is to “keep going.” Andy Murray expressed similar sentiments and spoke of Miami as his second home. “I’d be very sad to see the tournament moving away from this city.”
Carla Suarez Navarro feels “at home” in this Spanish speaking city, but feels unfamiliarized while playing on hard courts. To prepare for the Miami Open Suarez Navarro spends extra time practicing on hard courts in an effort to become as comfortable and confident as possible.
We asked Milos Raonic, AKA the creator of #Believeinthesleeve, if he was aware of the twitter account for his right arm called : @Milosrightarm. He laughed and said “no, but I know my sleeve has two accounts.” Raonic commented on his coach Carlos Moya: “he’s helped me learn to improve my process by learning to understand my technique better.” When asked if outside pressure affects his playing Raonic responded with: “the pressure I put on myself is always greater than the pressure people put on me.”
Belinda Bencic’s Instagram features her doing the “Nae Nae Dance” during a rain delay and a peak into her late night workouts. When asked about her reason for sharing she shared: “I wish I could’ve seen my tennis idols life growing up. I do social media for fun, if a possible sponsorship comes up that’s cool too, but I like showing my fans what I do off the court. That’s what matters.”
Angelique Kerber, who won Australian Open this year, is ready for her first match this week. “The pressure (to succeed) is good. But it’s different. Day by day I want to focus on my hits. I don’t mind the extra press that comes with it.”
We asked #4 Stan Wawrinka what his message was to young fans and athletes who wanted to get inspirational tattoos (similar to his). As a father, he answered: “Kids, listen to your parents, when you’re older you can do whatever you want.” His most recognizable tattoo is on his left inner arm and reads: Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.
#7 Petra Kvitova offered a wide smile as she shared that she loves Miami’s beaches and dabbles in the areas amazing shopping venues. #5 Halep, who plays Miami Open newcomer Daria Kasatkina this Thursday, started the season with injury and illness but assures us that she is ready to “fight to win. My body has grown strong again and I am confident in my game. I’m enjoying the moment and trying to keep in touch with fans through Instagram and facebook.”
About the Miami Open presented by Itaú
The 2016 Miami Open will be played March 21-April 3 at the Crandon Tennis Center in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and operated by IMG. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a Premier Mandatory event on the WTA calendar, and features the top men’s and women’s tennis players in the world. The tournament is widely regarded as the most glamorous on the ATP and WTA calendars because of its exotic Miami location, thriving nightlife, five-star hotels and restaurants, beautiful weather and beaches, and its celebrity appeal. For ticket information, call +1.305.442.3367 or visit www.miamiopen.com.
About Itaú
Itau is the largest Latin America privately owned bank, with approximately 95,000 employees and operations in 20 countries throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe. Itaú’s relationship with sport goes back to the 1970s, when Itaú first sponsored the Itaú Tennis Cup in Brazil in 1970. Itaú has been a sponsor of the Miami Open for the last six years, and also sponsors the Rio Open, the only combined ATP/WTA event in South America. Itaú also supports the Brazilian Women’s Tennis Circuit, only female professional tournament in South America, certified by the Brazilian Tennis Confederation (CBT) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as well as the Tennis Institute Training Center, responsible for the development of young, new talent.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 25 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; strategic partnerships with sponsors and brands; and marquee assets across sports, entertainment, events, music and fashion.
